UNITY CONGRESS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14017, 25 June 1913, Page 7

UNITY CONGRESS.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS. INTERESTING TO WORKERS. (Per United Press Association.). WELLINGTON. June 25. An important statement embodying a summary of the proposals to be submitted to the Unity Congress was made to a Poet reporter by Mr T. Young,'chairman of the Unity Committee, who said workers were approaching a period of political and industrial history which was unique. 400 delegates were being appointed to the Congress, which would be the largest gathering of Labour delegates held in the Southern Hemisphere. The issue would be of paramount importance, having the fundamental' object of binding together the workers in one political and industrial organisation. The constitution of the Social Democratic Party, as drafted coincides with the platform of the United Labour and the old New Zealand Labour parties. For old age pensions, it proposes to reduce the residential qualification to 15 years, and the age limit of males to 60 and females to 50. No-license.—'The bare majority should rule in all questions submitted to the popular vote. The Arbitration Court should undertake on its own motion on the petition of an industrial body a hearing in the prices charged for services and commodities in common use; also have power to make awards in such a way that wages increase with all advancement in selling prices; to fix the selling prices of commodities and services as it now fixes the price of human labour. Defence—lt Is proposed to abolish the present Act for a scheme that is to be met by a citizen’s army on a voluntary basis, with a regular standard of wages for all services, provided the troops are never used in industrial disputes; the officers Vo be elected by men and class distinction abolished. International Peace —A provision is made in the yearly agreement with the Powers for a reduction in the military and naval expenditure, with Ultimate disarmament’, in view of the endowment of motherhood in a maternity case, infant life protection is provided for besides free hospitals and medical aid, pensions for widows and orphans. The proposal also advocates the Australian system of newspaper postage, State-owned ships, a State Bank, the extension of the present Post Office Bank to the conduct of international transactions. WELLINGTON, June 25 Land Tax.—An addition of twopence is, provided for unimproved land without exception, and the unimproved land value tax will be increased each year by the amount added each year to the unimproved value of the land. The revenue so raised will be used to reduce the cost of living by the reduction of Customs on the necessaries of life not produced in the Dominion, and will also be used to reduce railway freights and fares. Provision is to bo made for homes on farms as going concerns, the State to clear' the land. Education is. to be free and secular from the Kindergarten to the University with compulsory, attendance at pinnary grades. It is proposed to introduce a right to work Bill to ensure against unemployment, a minimum wage is to be provided, and six hours per day with a weekly day of rest, and the Saturday half-holiday.