POLITICAL COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5656, 29 August 1896, Page 4

POLITICAL COUNCIL.

*. . LIBERAL AND LABOUR CENTRAL. A well -attended meeting of the Liberal and Labour Political Conncfl was held in Inglis' Buildings on Wednesday evening, the President (Mr Shaw Billcliff) in the chair. Correspondence was dealt with from several affiliated Associations relative to the platform, which. was finally adopted in the following form : —Electoral Reforms. -(1) That all civil and political disabilities be removed from women ; (2) that the qualification of electors for members of Parliament include all adult persons, and be residential only ; (3) , the extension of local government, and the adoption of an occupier's suffrage on the one - man - one - vote principle, with a residential qualification. Constitutional Reforms. — (4) The election of the Ministry by the representatives of the people in Parliament j (5) the establishment of the Referendum ; (6) the immediate reform of the Upper House. Social Reforms. — (7) that blocks of land be set aside for the purpose of establishing co-operative industrial settlements under State supervision; (8) that a national system of old a&e pensions be instituted; (9) the recognition of eight j hours as a legal day's work, and the same to be carried out in all government, public bodies and other contracts ; (10) the recognition by law of a minimum wage and the abolition of all overtime ; (11) that primary education be free, secular and compulsory, and that all children who pass the Sixth standard in the primary schools be entitled to a free secondary and university education ; (12) i that decisions on licensing questions shall ! be by a bare majority of the votes polled on these questions. Reforms promoting the circulation of wealth among the pro ; ducers— (l3) A graduated land tax with exemption of improvements and a graduated income tax • (14) periodical revaluation of all land held under lease from the Crown and to nationalisation of all land and Trnprrnl -. : (15) the establishment of a State bank with the sole right of note issue, and for the transaction of all Government business ; (16) the establishment of a system of State fire insurance ; (17) that the tariff be readjusted for the purpose of encouraging local industries. It was resolved that a copy of the 'foregoing platform be at once forwarded to all known candidates for the Christ-church, Riccarton, Avon and Lyttelton seats, requesting their views on the different questions. It was also resolved that the President and Secretary be empowered to forward a copy of the platform to any other candidate definitely announcing himself. The mode of taking the ballot for the final selection of candidates was further discussed. The Secretary was directed to write to the Christchurch Painters Union urging that body to join its forces with the Council. The following resolution was carried unanimously, and ordered to be forwarded to the Premier — "That tbia Council protests against any further loan being raised without the electors first having an opportunity of expressing their opinion." The Council decided to meet again on Tuesday night.