Liberal and Labour Organisations.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5428, 2 December 1895, Page 4

Liberal and Labour Organisations.

A CONFERENCE. At the invitation of the Canterbury. Tradeß and Labour Council Borne thirty , persons met in ■ the tailoresses' room, ; lnglis'o Buildings, oa night. j Mr S, Billcliff,. president of the convening body, in opening the proceedings, •explained chat the Council had issued invitations to attend the conference to the Bootmakers' Union, Knights of Labour, Plumbers and Gasfittera' Union, New Zealand Workers' Union, Railway Servants' Society, Canterbury Carpenters and Joiners' Association, Cant£r> bury Women's Institute, Ballance Liberal Association, Canterbury. Liberal Aaso--ciation, Women's Political Association, Painters' Union, Progressive Liberal Association, Tailors' Union, Boilermakers' Uniofl; Amalgamated Society of Engineers/T'tfito 6 " 9 ? ana Pressers' Union, Typographical Association and Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners. The object, the Council had in view was the consolidation of the Liberal and Labour Party by the formation of a Central Political Council, on which each body should bo represented. The mode of procedure was in the hands of,tb9 3»eet«sg. WHfe tbJs announcement his duty &b representative of the convening body ended, and it was in the hands of the meeting to appoint their chairman. Oo the motion of Mr R. Winter, Mr 8, Billcliff waß voted to the chair. Mr R. Winter was elected to act as secretory, and read, correspondence ; From the Secretary Ballanoe Liberal Association, Addington branch, intimating that Messrs R. Steinmer and Joseph Beattie would represent the Addington branch; from the Seoretary Tailors' Union, Btating that the Union rules debarred the Union from taking any political aotion except on labour questions; from the Painters' Union, appointing Meßsrs Hunt and Buchanan; from the St Albans Ballance Liberal Association, stating that Mr T. V. Kelly had been appointed to represent the Association, and trusting that the commendable action of the Council would succeed; from tne Secretary Ballance Liberal Association, Waltham, btating that Messrs D. Luak and Sim had been appointed, by the Executive, delegates ; from the Amalgamated Sooiety Carpenters and Joiners, stating that their rules debarred them from taking any political action; from the secretary Progressive Liberal Association, stating that Messra Gledhill and Ballinger would represent the Association at the conference. Miss Hookham and Mrs Wells (Canterbury Women's Institute), Mr Cullen (Typographical Society), Messrs G. Ross (Boilermakers), and a member of the Engineers' Union stated that they attended to hear the proceedings and report to their respective bodies. Messrs J. M'Laren and Kerr stated that they were present to represent the tailoresses ; Mr J. E. Hawley said he represented the Knights of Labour. Mr Charles Soliolfleld, who was present to represent the New Zealand Workers' Union, farther intimated (as secretary of the, Canterbury Liberal Association) that Messrs R. Winter and C. J. Wilkins would represent that body. Mr J. M. Izett intimated that himself and Mrs Cooper were officially appointed to represent the Women's Political Association. The Chairman stated that the Trades Council had determined that the Ballance Liberal Association at Addington and Sfa Albans should not be invit»^» as they were branches of the Association at' Waltham. However, he .would leave the question as to whether, the delegates; from, these two branches should remain or .not in the hands of the meeting. Still, he thought, if they did remain, it would give that body an unfair advantage. Meeers.Beattie (Addington Ballance Association) and T. V. Kelly (St Albans Ballance Liberal Association), stated that their respective bodies were quite distinct, in fact had a separate existence. - ' The question of who should and who should not take part in the meeting was discussed at great length, it being ultimately decided that all present should participate in the proceedings. Mr Ell suggested that a committee should be set up wibh instructions to prepare platform, constitution and basis of representation, to be submitted to a future meeting of delegates. Mr J. M'Laren (Tailoreßses) thought they should first agree to set up a Central Council. He moved:— "That this meet-, ing is in favour of a Central Council being formed, consisting of delegates from the various Labour and Liberal organisations in and around Chrisfcchurch." This was seconded. After an animated discussion as to the constitution of the Canterbury Federated Liberal Council, Mr J. E. Hawley moved as an amendment — " That in view of the fact /t hat the • Canterbury Federated Liberal Council is now, in existence, the formation of another body working en Bimilar lines is a waste of energy, as affiliation with the former is possible and desirable." The amendment on being put to the vote was carried by 15 to 13. After a heated discussion, Mr Ballinger suggested that' those who wished to form a central political council should stay behind. He moved in that direction. All present voted for the motion, and it was carried amid some angry remarks and recrimination. , The Chairman read a letter from the European Market Gardeners' Association, but no action was taken. Mr Cnllen read a motion thanking the Trades Council for calling the conference, bub it was not put on account of. the confusion. ' . . Mrs Wells moved that the meeting should adjourn.- This motion was carried with; one or . two 'dissentients, and the, gathering broke up in confusion; >