THE NEW MACHINE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10683, 1 February 1913, Page 7

THE NEW MACHINE.

TO FIGHT LAND MONOPOLY AND ITS REPRESENTATIVES. LABOUR. FACTIONS UNITED. THE VIEWS OF TWO LEADERS. Professor W. T. Mills, orstvfciio loader of tlio United Labour Party, and Mr R. Semple, of tlio Federation ot Labour, are in Christchureh to-day, reunited. in tho labour ranks, and with one common objective in 'the furtheiing of their ideals. Tho recent Conference in WeJliugton between tho two opposing bodies in tho Labour movewont has euded tho split, and tho united party will now present a solid front to all opposing interests. It was on tlio solidarity of Laboui, therefore, that. tho interviewer approached tho two leaders, and they gave him a joint audienco on tho results of tho recent Conference. "You go first, Bob," said Professor Mills, to his colleague, and Mr Semple had the floor. DIFFER ENCES OBLITERATED. "Will tho united' party hold together? Yes," said Ml* fcemple. • feel perfectly certain that the rank and file—tlio workers of Now Zealand will hail with joy the decisions arrived at by tho Conference. Tlio differences m tiio industrial and political movement in the past will bo absolutely obliterated. I'arrive at this decision from, the experience of tlio Conference, ana a knowledge that the wage-workers aio absolutely anxious for unity. Over a hundred delegates were at tho Conference, and. they represented api^oximatel.v 50,000 workers. I never before attended a conference where differences and conflicting opinions seemed to be waved so much to on© side, and u here such a determined stand was takon .by representatives of organised Labour to create one political and one industrial organisation. . So far those who have had the opportunity of discussing the decisions, including tho Canterbury and Wellington Trades Councils, have unanimously endorsed the proposals. THE COMMON ENEMY. " Tho divisions of the past as the outcome of controversy were, m my opinion," said. Mr Semple something that could not be avoided, but should not affect the now «;gaiusat,oii. Hnvine arrived at a definite undei Sg"we are out to fight tho comcommon enemy? Well, not tho Government alone, but ' the working classes have decided to "s® their efforts and strength to down that crowd. But we have something moie to accomplish of course. That is only one link in tho chain. \es, we aie going to concentrate our strength the next election, but wo are not forgetting the need for industrial solidarity. I feel satisfied," Mr Semple added aside, " that tho coalmmers of New Zealand will hail with joy the decisions of the Conference, and I am going straight through _ the coalmining districts on a campaign." POLITICAL PARTIES. " I think we will achieve a lot if tile July Conference is as unanimous as the recent one," Mr Semple continued, "and there is nothing to stop Labour | from being very successful at the next poll. I have travelled through i\eW Zealand a great deal during tho last six months, and the feeling is absolutely opposed to tho present administration. This is a, further indication that Labour will be closely united. "Take Mr Massey's meeting at Auckland, his stronghold," Mr Semplo remarked, getting temporarily off the track. " For tho first time in the history of New Zealand tho Prime Minister 'had to be guarded with police. Do I think it was necessary. _ Well, 1 don't know, but the Prime Minister himself had a guilty conscience. He must have been conscious of the fact that lie was doing something that the great mass of tho people did not approve of. Imagine the late Mr Soddon asking for police protection in any part of New Zealand! Then, again, the organ of the Government in Wellington, the "Dominion," and several other papers that represent the land monopolist in New Zealand are very soro about the uniting of Labour, and are adopting every means possible _ to create a split. This should bo convincing to every worker in New Zealand that unity is the one thing essential to them. A SEPARATE BODY. Questioned regarding the position that tlio new party would take up at the next election in regard to the present Liberal Opposition, Mr Simple said that the United Federation of Labour was separate from any other political party. There would be no direct compromise, but if there was no Labour candidate standing for a seat, and there was a Liberal standing against the Conservative, the workers could be depended on to use their own discretion, Sir Massey having put himself right out of court with the workers. The party would stand independently, however, and in any event those elected on tho Labour ticket would bo expected to act in caucus with the Social Democrats. PROFESSOR MILLS CONFIDENT. "As to tho probability of a practical unanimous co-operation onthe part of trades unions and political Labour bodies," said Professor Mills, " this may be said—that in so far as these bodies were represented at the Conference it is practically certain that cooperation will be forthcoming. The unions not directly represented but allied to tho United' Labour Party in Canterbury and Wellington have illready spoken, and in both instances by unanimous vote have decided to support the Conference findings, to be represented at the July Congress, and also to do everything in their power to .sect other unions to co-operate. In Canterbury, I am told, there was more enthusiasm at tho findings than at any event in previous years, and tho same thing is true of Wellington, where there was the most largely attended meeting of the year.