THE LABOUR PARTY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143762, 10 April 1912, Page 3

THE LABOUR PARTY.

NEED FOR INDEPENDENCE

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 9. Speaking at the conference of the New’ Zealand Political Labour Party to-day, the chairman (Mr. Hempton) mentioned the unity proposals which were before another conference, and. emphasised the fact that labour should not lose sight of its political .interests while dealing with industrial problems. Though they might, as an organisation, be swallowed up in a larger body, they , had to see that the work they set opt to do would be properly pushed forward. They had also to see that there were no loopholes whereby a Labour candidate could lose his separate identity. It w’as to be hopedl that the unity proposals would he finally dealt with and that the workers would fall into one common organisation of useful people of New Zealand, which at the next election* would sweep the Reform, Party and the Liberal Party into the back-wash. There are men in both parties, he added, who ought to be iu our party, and they will not oome in till the parties to Which . they belong are thoroughly beaten.Other speakers emphasised the state- Sment that the Labour Party’s politics i are definite Labour, not Liberal-Labour ? or Reform-Labour politics. “As ono 1 who occupied a Beat in the House,” , said Mr. M'Lareu, “I am more than, ' ever convinced that our line must he i ono of absolute independence.” The conference then adjourned to enable the unity proposals to be further discussed. RESULT OF THE CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON, ApHI 10. The Labour unity conference has concluded ita deliberations. The unity proposals and tho constitution of the proposed United Labour Party were amended, and drawn up for presentation to separate conferences of the Labour Party and trades councils. When these two organisations bay© dealt with the scheme in its amended form the constitution will he submitted to the unity conference for final endorsement. In connection with the' pledge in the past signed by Parliamentary candidates, it .is understood that in future there will be no such pledge, merely the affirmation signed by all members of the party when they first join the organisation. This affirmation of the principles embodied, m the constitution .will guide Parliamen- . tary representatives and their actions just, as it would a private member of a party. . .. At the conference of trades councils delegates to-day the following motion was considered; That every endeavour be made to fix the amalgamation of the Trades and Labour Council : that no hair-splitting be allowed to interfere in forming such amalgamation, and that a ballot of members of the' Trrnfcs and ,Labour Council be taken on the subject. There was a long discussion, an amended’ motion being* eventually carried urging delegates, if the unity proposals wore adopted to do their best to bring about au amalgamation of sawmill and timber workers. The conference to-day decided to instruct the incoming executive to take immediate steps to register the federation under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. It was also resolved to urge the Government to carry out the work of reafforestation.