13
2-. I. I DRAFT CONSTITUTION , —— ~* i ‘J ' NAME Independent Labour Party (S.A.) OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a Socialist Commonwealth in South Africa. The Socialist Commonwealth is a classless society in which all econ- omic resources are communa.lly owned and controlled, the power to live by rent, interest, or profit is ended, all imperial connections are abolish- ed, and all perform work of social value according to their ability and share in the common resources according to their need, and in which the willingness to perform work of social value is the basis of citizenship* The Independent labour Party (S.A.) recognises that Capitalism is based upon the exploitation of the working-class by tne possessing-class* and that the class struggle for the attainment of power by the working- class is the only method of change from Capitalism to Socialism. Ix rejects, therefore, all policies based on collaboration with the capita- list class, either in political or industrial action, and all reformist policies, by adopting decisive socialist measures involving a definite ' challenge to Capitalism. The industrial organisations of the working-class must be strengthened in the daily struggle to resist the attacks of Capitalism on the standards of life of the working-class and must be developed to play their part effectively in the class struggle. They must be prepared to fulfill their future tasks in the economic and political administration of a socialist society. On this basis, the Independent Labour Party (S.A.) will strive to unite the the power of the working-class for the achievement of Social - ism. The Independent Labour Party (S.A.) will endeavour to attain for the non-European workers the right to an equal place in the working-class movement and to all opportunities of political and economic advancement. The Independent Labour Party (S.A.) realises that electoral activity for the capture of all the organs of government, national and local, is essential, recognising that such control is of the greatest importance in the change from Capitalism to Socialism. Nevertheless, it regards this as

2-. I. I2-. I. I DRAFT CONSTITUTION , —— ~* i ‘J ' NAME Independent Labour Party (S.A.) OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a

  • Upload
    others

  • View
    1

  • Download
    0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: 2-. I. I2-. I. I DRAFT CONSTITUTION , —— ~* i ‘J ' NAME Independent Labour Party (S.A.) OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a

2-. I. IDRAFT CONSTITUTION

, —— ~* ■ i

‘J ' NAME

Independent Labour Party ( S . A . )

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a

Socialist Commonwealth in South Africa .

The Socialist Commonwealth is a classless society in which a l l econ­

omic resources are communa.lly owned and controlled, the power to live by

rent, interest, or profit is ended, a l l imperial connections are abolish­

ed, and all perform work of social value according to their ab il ity and

share in the common resources according to their need, and in which the

willingness to perform work of social value is the basis of citizenship*

The Independent labour Party ( S . A . ) recognises that Capitalism is

based upon the exploitation of the working-class by tne possessing-class*

and that the class struggle for the attainment of power by the working-

class is the only method of change from Capitalism to Socialism. Ix

rejects , therefore, a l l policies based on collaboration with the capita­

list class, either in political or industrial action, and a l l reformist

policies , by adopting decisive socialist measures involving a definite '

challenge to Capitalism.

The industrial organisations of the working-class must be strengthened

in the daily struggle to resist the attacks of Capitalism on the standards

of life of the working-class and must be developed to play their part

effectively in the class struggle. They must be prepared to f u l f i l l their

future tasks in the economic and political administration of a socialist

society. On this basis , the Independent Labour Party ( S . A . ) will strive

to unite the the power of the working-class for the achievement of Social­

ism.

The Independent Labour Party ( S . A . ) w ill endeavour to attain for the

non-European workers the right to an equal place in the working-class

movement and to a l l opportunities of polit ical and economic advancement.

The Independent Labour Party ( S . A . ) realises that electoral activity

for the capture of a ll the organs of government, national and local, is

essential, recognising that such control is of the greatest importance in

the change from Capitalism to Socialism. Nevertheless, it regards this as

Page 2: 2-. I. I2-. I. I DRAFT CONSTITUTION , —— ~* i ‘J ' NAME Independent Labour Party (S.A.) OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a

oouanw xios*

I*j<aj& ;. The name of the Party Is "The independent Labour Party. ( s . , , )

2*j&j»to3rsiilp* iitembGrshlp of the ;?ar$/ la open persons r »e a r ­less of Sex, Race, (lolour or Oread, too subscribe to the Principle* and Constitution of the Party*

jmkXrnn ana objects *(a)2h» primary Objective of tha Party t» the reor­ganisation of society on the basis of socialism* w"(to) 20 secure a continuous Improvement In the conditions of life for the irass.es of the people,until ouch time whan the primary objective of the Party shall havo been attained*(c)To socurs adequate representation or; pub 11 u bodies of wording class interests through rn Tndependent Labour ^arty.tind to establish suttab a means of propaganda and organisation to assist In the attainment of taa Party*• objective,and to give effect to Its policy on currant matters as may be adopted by the Party from time to time*(d)xo attain for the non-Europeans tiie right to an equal place In the

* working class movement In the country,and to all opiortunltles of t*o1- V lt lo a l and economic advancement* ^

lnlstratlon* Xh» Party shall elect In eaoh Province In the Onion uth Afrloa at Its Annual conference,an executive of eight iremtoers,

*«„~-dlng a chairman,Vlee-chalnran,Honoraiy Treasurer, and Honorary Secret jy •

(to)Ths executlva shall be tne governing body of the Party in each Pro- vlm ^an d shall at all times be competent to adopt such financial and administrative provisions as It iray deem necessary*( c )The Governing body shall function as the supreme authority ~lthln the party in each Province,and shall carry on the worK of the party In accordance with Its Principles and Policy*

5* Inter-provincial co-operation* The Governing bodies In tne various provlnoes shall co-operate by manna of a central co-op erst lag executive On euch a basis and In such manner as the various provincial govomln, bodies may free time to time determine*

^•General* (a) rne Governing uooy snail eat atoll an branches of the Party where «ver It may deem eoesaazytand to grant to such branches such powers and allot to them such funcfcla.s as It may deeft fit*(b) Aggregate Party meetings shall be convened by tne secretary as In­structed by tne Govornlng bouy,or on receipt of a requisition elfensd by not less than 25 membors of the Party*( c Hn© member of tha Party shall have t*ie right to vote at any Party meeting before^.the expiry of 30 days of his or her receiving notific­ation that ho or she has been accepted a member of the Party*(d ) All applications for membership of the Party are to be approved of by the Governing 'oody,oi by any other subsidiary body to wiiw the Governing boiy may delegate its power In the matter*(e) AdCltloas and amendments to Its constitution (exoaptlng regard the primary objective and Ita Alms and objects)may be made at the Annual conference of the Party,aubjeot to two *K*nths notice of such proposed amendment or addition being given to the flecretary of the Governing body In writing*

perMnsrum*

Page 3: 2-. I. I2-. I. I DRAFT CONSTITUTION , —— ~* i ‘J ' NAME Independent Labour Party (S.A.) OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a

(xJ vCa^.

KA 0. C^AAA- -£/W i^TUslJb^ V~ U lM W M . ^L^J^ttSU CU3.

(ywvva - Le'' e Ii-X. 'tkd j iAr*< W Ls t VrJi£«eit ( 0* jnrr|->- <*

oSs. QL - (Vfl--3'A-A. ikC. ■ ||<r»«''v Oj* ■/UtL<*C ,\r* M •/*■

<Xr \\a-A Wv \y* (Lf>*Vv*>-Cvv 'T «UxK£>4 'WAB-Jt. j -Ur nJ

A* fcfifi tab/tAl* ^ u}z^i*isih^ .

"V^a. aa^J^wi. ^ C® aVju-«— Lv\fl-X. -u| v' twvlIs. trO si ri L' ( | -irCL-u-i ilfr&o

<V*vX 0-| -LouwX. dsivaSej X 4/wiL /\

• Lh>--tVi\*-A- ft"'® ft- , Vvv JLaXv^ Ck/'xJk. Lrv*\v»vAvxii 'VVU Aa /CaJuJQl,

V ^ e r^ ^ v i • ^ajtk^X. C - i ^ A ' Ax4/c«v-®-rvAo oi /IAjU-w<^ . -C Q' ^ 1 ■ r'tsWfc* I J i ' f

fi/sfc~'*v»v- A •rwJbo 1'^ a( <>j uJJlu^ y>trv<XiJL

♦*vvj dfc \ik lift \ Xuz v«~ lie c\ L.W. -', |/vT?-Te<M .U ^ - ^C>v, -W o . MP'*'®- W 0u»- £y*A. O ^JU iilA vv -WLo -V~lr X. ^f***s*Su\: 't

t0o*X tVr Jb (Wis riB wtfio # CuJtC* -iQLava-* i^«- fc ■jSfT *•

JUrA W- V6ur<*U4 t uJCrja-a X>/\ jjce <y,.& Lnkr*-rXo OvLa|afi- °| -l vojsJtl , cj

■a - • ^ a "VVmBh» C/j, ^O- -Wuxi. - evwvs

't^a CMAJU V>vi ««4la£ n(V-Via-i

\iJi-rv, A>^'^‘ 'VfluJb O mtTQ »| -U'VViniv j jL Ir3ft/vX. /t~ wrwio kh*-< jo j/bsrxJi/w

^ Qvs. (Tr<i. t a vtoDrJlA-A <>| j ft£? (M- t & A .

tAd&o \$o. cxX<r|]L< oj Yvv c. vu-bJi w ivJt jfrhliGtdl jcryn'j Jsi

•JptX/vai vvv. x»-r>v IzSfi («v ||Ll1s. 'Ithj^/iSrJn* (i| < tTr Wv C Q/VO (Tr^Q/ryAs iJt^^

V

Page 4: 2-. I. I2-. I. I DRAFT CONSTITUTION , —— ~* i ‘J ' NAME Independent Labour Party (S.A.) OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a

V * Voi \ ^ Cl uatr o-w • ’liw , \ a ro.

-jr ur*-r 0v>» ^)fi. A«oJCs- qJcj (Hvwa-TO Jui- ft/vA . *^£ ’b id -

(^ k ~ iX^uj^e jpr v x ls uv-o? trj j)a Wrriiy,1 i h ^ J u ujl c j

i AArVvv- <\z»"X. 'Yi^Xl^ M/"vA&< tA| L»iii_/v-w , ftd-fr.,.

^Ijl V ^ \JbJr JJq ° " '^ 'v r d l L X -j jU/rJLv^tAuv? \ \ l ^ Q ^ 3 /U i L j ^

X&/uX C>0'''-<a|U*«- n ^ i ^ o ^ C l . V-t* 'Y-e ?-<i CX- L ) l i s L UU ^ p v \

t J & a X i r r a t a ~ A irJ^I. l * y X » > w J | ^ A > i o i_saAl!a< v>~ v « J u *s^0ruk c * j / * i i u i * i / fl-elov cu-X-uJlLJ

J h u . f e j oJlSljUHxIs. fc£a »-| £c|# CC-'A hut&w oj (Jh unrr Ln

( X ^ r - * ^ Mi^T Gr 'j'«">'t~ U^X -| 4<& gu-JL aJU»u J*£ e ^ * \ -fc o ^ X ^ v a J . ^

A . U J J

* ^ C X z ~ » o y w ^ t ^ > = w v ^ v / w ^ p C - o w - v .

X »- ^_ ^ *

Page 5: 2-. I. I2-. I. I DRAFT CONSTITUTION , —— ~* i ‘J ' NAME Independent Labour Party (S.A.) OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a

SAMEIndependent Labour Party (S .A .)

OBJECTIVEThe primary objective of the Party* is the establishment of a

Socialist Commonwealth in South Africa.The Socialist Commonwealth is a classless society in which all eco­

nomic resources are communally owned & controlled, the power to live by rent, interest, or profit is ended, all imperial connections are abolished, and all perform work of social value according to their ability and share in the common resources according to their need, <Sfc In which the willingness to perform work of social value is the basis of citizenship.

The system of Capitalism, based upon private ownership of the fac­tories, banks, stores, means of transportation & communication, qnri of the land, had gradually developed and, until recently, flourished as a working economic system. Industry & commerce made gigantic pro­gress; world trade increased a hundredfold; the discoveries of science, the extension of democratic rights, and the relative deepen­ing of human culture provided a seemingly secure foundation for the belief in the inevitability of human progress.

All this development has now come to an end. Capitalism has enter­ed into a permanent state of depression, of economic collapse and great political disturbances. Partial recovery there may be for a time in various countries, but the general tendency is towards the collapse of the system of capitalism. The break-down of industry & commerce, the snapping of the sinews of international trade, & the crisis in finance increase the misery of the working population & render permanent a vast army of unemployed workers.

The struggle of the capitalist States for markets & trade, in other words their preparations for war, on the one hand, & their attack upon the standards of living of the workers on the other, necessi­tates the adoption of a more ruthless & effective form of government. This form is Fascism, which is based upon the complete suppression of working-class organisations & the democratic rights of the workers.This is one of the function# of Fascism. The other is that of direct preparation for war in the interests of the owners of land & capital.The first task of a workers' party today is the struggle for the maintenance of the workers' standards of life & of their democratic rights under Capitalism.

The Independent Labour Party ( S .A . ) maintains that the only effec­tive method of working-class action is that based upon the conception of the claBs struggle. It rejects, therefore, all policies based upon collaboration with capitalist parties, either in political or industrial action, & while struggling continuously to alleviate the conditions of life & labour for the workers, always maintains that comfort & peace & security can only be achieved in a socialist society

The Independent Labour Party ( S .A . ) will endeavour to attain for the Non-European workers the right to an equal place in the working- class movement & to all opportunities of political & economic advancement. *>

The I .L .P . ( S .A . ) realises that electoral activity for the capture » of all the organs of government, national & local, is essential recognising that such control is of the greatest importance in the change from Capitalism to Socialism, nevertheless, it regards this as only one aspect of the class struggle. It realises that the in­terests behind Capitalism are certain to violently resist any attempt to dispossess them of the economic & political power on which their privileges depend & to resort to some form of dictatorship in order to defend those interests. The working class must be prepared for such a situation & must be made ready to meet & overcome it by the use of ±±A its mass strength.

} f * co£?ls®s ^ t the interests of the workers throughout the are identical. It will combat with all its power Im­perialism in all its forms, & denies the right of imperial domination over all subject races. War being the inevitable outcome of imperial® ism, disarmament & peace can finally be secured only by the super­session of Capitalism by world-wide Socialism. super

i working-class solidarity is essential. The I L p a 1will therefore seek affiliation to or association wUh thole iniei- '’ national workers' movements which most effectively link nn no+innoi movements having an objective & method in coimnon^iththS? ?f I?l !p . (SA).

Page 6: 2-. I. I2-. I. I DRAFT CONSTITUTION , —— ~* i ‘J ' NAME Independent Labour Party (S.A.) OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a

In all its work the I .L .P . ( S .A . ) will spread as widely as possible a knowledge of socialist principles and will strive for the following objectives:-

(a) The socialisation of the vital economic resources of the coun­try, including banking & finance, land & agriculture, the main industries & transport.

(b) The organisation of exports & imports under national ownership & control on the basis of a planned exchangeof goods,food, raw materials.

(c) The redistribution of the national income on the basis of economic equality.

(d) The restoration of wage-cuts & the control of prices.(e) The lowering of working hours without wage-reductions in order

to absorb the unemployed workers.(f) Unemployment, Maternity, and Health Insurance.(g ) Increased old-age pensions & lowering of the qualifying age.(h) Free education up to the university stage with the free supply

of food, clothing & other necessities.(1) Comprehensive housing schemes aiming at abolition of slums.(J) Abolition of the Riotous Assemblies Act & the restoration of

the freedom of the press, the right of assembly & of agitation.(k) Abolition of the Masters & Servants Contract Act.(1) The maintenance of existing political rights and their exten­

sion to all sections of the population.

Membership of the I .L .P . ( S .A .) must entail full acceptance of the principles contained in this Constitution and adherence to the rules necessary for the unified expression of its policy.

RULES.Membership. *

iJemVersnip of the Party is open to all persons irrespective of their sex,race,colour or creed, who accept the Constitution & Rules of the Party. All applications for membership of the Party must be made through a Branch. Such applications, on acceptance by a Branch, must be submitted to the Administrative Council of the Party for endorse­ment. Ho applicant for membership of the Party shall have the right to vote at any Party meeting until the expiration of 30 days after the receipt of notification of acceptance & the payment of one month's subscription. All members are expected to participate actively in the work of the Party & should be members of a trade union if eligible. Membership of the Party shall be incompatible with membership of any other political organisation.

I,'embers who do not conform to the Constitution, Rules, & policies of the Party as determined by its Annual or Special Conferences, may be expelled by ^

(a) a Branch subject to right of appeal to the Administrative Council, or

(b) the Administrative Council, subject to right of appeal to the Annual Conference.

A person expelled from a Branch of the Party shall not be eligible for membership of any other Branch of the Party without having first received the sanction of the Administrative Council.

Branch.

An association of not less than twelve persons, which accepts the Constitution, Rules, & policies of the Party as determined by its

Conferences, & which satisfies the Administrative Council that it is an association capable of effectively furthering the policies of the Party, may be accepted by the Administrative Council as a Branch.

Branches which fa il to conform to the Constitution, Rules, & policies v, + shall be dealt with by the Administrative Council, which

shall have the power to close such Branches subject to right of appeal ffj Conference. Any Branch so closed shall, if requested by

the Administrative Council, hand over its papers, books, moneys and other properties, to the Administrative Council to be S t U i w d i v X , Administrative Council as it may think f it .

sha11 have the right to conduct their own affairs 9i,hip«+ ,B" to observance^of Constitution,Rules,& policies of the Party.

Page 7: 2-. I. I2-. I. I DRAFT CONSTITUTION , —— ~* i ‘J ' NAME Independent Labour Party (S.A.) OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a

Administrative Council,The Administrative Council shall consist of the Chairman,Secretary

& Treasurer of the Party duly elected by the Annual Conference, augmented by two representatives from each Branch delegated by the Branch. No person shall be eligible for office or membership of the Administrative Council unless a member of the Party for at least six months prior to Conference.

The Administrative Council, at its first meeting after Conference, shall appoint three members from its body to form together with the* * Chairman, Treasurer, 4 Secretary of the Party an Executive Committee.

The Administrative Council shall(a) Take office immediately after the Annual Conference;(b) Meet at least once monthly;(c) Present a Eeport to the Annual Conference on the previous

year’ s work and progress of the Party.(d) Exercise a determining voice in the selection of all candi­

dates for public office.(e) Raise & disburse funds for public elections and for other

objects of the Party.(f) Appoint an Organising Secretary of the Party and exercise

a supervising control over his or her work.(g) Have the power to expel a Branch which does not conform to *

the Constitution, Rules, & policies of the Party, subject to right > of appeal for reinstatement to the Annual Conference.

(h) Deal with matters of local dispute between members anfl Branches which may be referred to its decision by the parties inter­ested, The decision of the Administrative Council shall be finalin such disputes.

(i) Deal with matters arising between Conferences not provided for by the Constitution & Rules, But shall not initiate any new policy between Conferences without having first obtained the sanction of the majority of the Branches.

Half the members of the Administrative Council shall constitute a quorum providing the Chairman & Secretary of the Party are present.

In the event of a vacancy occurring in the Executive Committee, such vacancy shall be filled from the Administrative Council until the next Annual or Special Conference.

ihe Executive Committee shall undertake a census of the Partv in July of each year. *

Annual and Special Conferences.

An Annual Conference, at which all Branches of the Party.establishe prior to Aug.1st immediately preceding, shall be entitled to repre- sentation, shall be held during the first week-end of October

Conference of the Party shall be the ultimate authority -farty t0 which all final appeals shall be made.

ihe place of Conference shall be decided by the Administrative v oizxic

Branches of the larty shall send to Conference two delegates for their first 25 members in good standing and one delegate for every additional 25 (or part thereof) members in good standing until a maximum of five delegates per Branch has been reached. Brahches may appoint one delegate to to represent their full voting strength. Delegates to Conference must have been members of the Branch they represent prior to Aug.lst immediately preceding Conference,

Geu»s4± eha4|-have tfee aeesVlutieas

Resolutions for the Agenda of the Annual Conference must be submit­ted to the Secretary of the Party at least two months before Conf'ce. Ihe Secretary of the Party shall supply all Branches with copies of the complete Agenda at least one month before Conference. The names of Branch delegates to Conference must be in the hands of the Secre­tary of the Party at least one month before Conference.

The Administrative Council shall have the right to place resolutions on the Conference Agenda, but these, if they a?e other than emergency resolutions, must be included in the complete Agenda.

Page 8: 2-. I. I2-. I. I DRAFT CONSTITUTION , —— ~* i ‘J ' NAME Independent Labour Party (S.A.) OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a

Two-thirds of the members of the Administrative Council or one- third of the Branches of the Par$y shall be empowered to instruct the Secretary of the Party to convene a Special Conference for the consideration of any special business, but at such Special Conference no business not on the Agenda shall be considered.

finances.Branches shall fix the amounts of subscriptions to be paid by their

members. Such subscriptions may not be less than 1/- per month. Unemployed members shall not be required to pay subscriptions during the period of their unemployment. All Branches shall forward to the Treasurer of the Party one-third of their subscriptions.

The Treasurer of the Party shall audit the books of each Branch at least once every six months and submit a report to the Administra­tive Council.

The Administrative Council may strike off the list of Branches any Branch which is more than six months in arrears with its payments.A Brabch so struck off shall, if requested by the Administrative Council, hand over its papers, books, moneys, & other properties to the Administrative Council to be utilised by the Administrative Council as it may think f it .

The Administrative Council may receive donations or subscriptions to the funds of the Party,

A statement of Income & Expenditure & Balance Sheet audited by a chartered accountant shall be presented to the Annual Conference together with the amount each Branch has paid in subscriptions to the Administrative Council during the preceding year. The accountant shall be appointed by the Administrative Council.

Candidates for Public Office.All candidates selected by a Branch for any Public Office must re­

ceive the sanction of the Administrative Council before any public announcement of candidature is made.

Jo person shall be eligible for selection as a candidate for any Public Office by a Branch unless he or she has been a member of the Party for at least twelve months.

A candidate for Public Office must undertake that his or her elec­tion campaign will be run in accordance with the Constitution & policies of the Party and that, if elected, he or she will be bound to act only on instructions from the Administrative Council. *

No member of the Party may contest any public election unless he m

or she has received the sanction of the Administrative Council. Any member of the Party associating with candidates other than official Party candidates, unless he or she has received the sanction of the Administrative Council, automatically ceases to be a member of the Party, subject to right of appeal to the Annual Conference.

A member of the Party who successfully contests an election for Office, shall contribute half of his or her remuneration to

* Administrative Council to be utilised for Party purposes as the Administrative Council may think f it .

Changes In the Constitution and Rules.

The Constitution and Rules shall not be altered or amended (after the Annual Conference, 1933) except every third year at the Annual

the re^ is i t io n of two-thirds of the member- f? +the ^ i^ J s t r a t iv e council or one-third of the Branches of

* + ^ n + proposed alterations or amendments shall be con­sidered at the next succeeding Annual Conference or at any Special Conference summoned before the Annual Conference is held. peclal

Page 9: 2-. I. I2-. I. I DRAFT CONSTITUTION , —— ~* i ‘J ' NAME Independent Labour Party (S.A.) OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a

- w , . DRAFT POLICY

The Independent labour Party (S .A .) realises that Its tasks today are

much more difficult than were the tacks of labour Parties in the early

days of the movement in South Africa,

As a result of the disastrous policies, ignorance, and corruption

of the South African labour Party, which culminated in the Pact, the

worVers of South Africa have rightly acquired a profound distrust in the

in the old-time organisations and their methods. The workers otf South

Africa have taken up a position of indifference and apathy to the entire

political wing of the labour movement.

The antics of the Communists, who faithfully adhere to the stupidly

unrealistic slogans of Stalin, only result in the disgust of those workers

who care to follow their development.

The task of the I .L .P . is to break down the apathy of the workers

and to draw them into the movement by showing them that the I .L .P . is a

militant workers’ Party capable of leading the workers in their daily

struggles and serious in its intentions to improve the standards of life

of the working-class.

However, the I . I .P . is prepared to form United Fronts on specific

issues with other working-class organisations.

The I .L .P . will oppose all attempts to reduce wages, worsen working

conditions and increase working hours. It will seek to unite'the workers

on a common demand for increased wages, drastic reductions in working

hours, and for holidays with full pay. It will organise workers’ support

for the demand for adequate housing and reduced rents. It will demand

maintenance for the unemployed, the whole cost of such maintenance to

be a charge upon the posoessing-class, and will fight for allowances of

sufficient amount to ensure a full life for the unemployed workers and

their dependants during the whole period of unemployment.

The I . l .P . will work to draw all industrial workers both skilled

and unskilled into the Party, will endeavour to fona unions in those

industries where unions are at present non-existent, such unions to seek

affiliation with existing associations of trade unions, will work for

the removal of legal and social disabilities affecting the non-European

section of the working-class. and will strive to break down the colour-

bar.and all other racial discriminations.

The Party at present is very weak. It aust practically start from

the beginning. Inasmuch as the Party has at its disposal only a very few

Page 10: 2-. I. I2-. I. I DRAFT CONSTITUTION , —— ~* i ‘J ' NAME Independent Labour Party (S.A.) OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a

few/

propagandists able to address meetings and as It Is vital to the Party

that Its propaganda be uninterrupted, during the coming year the Party

must establish a Central Organ and arrange for its effioient distribution.

The Party can make substantial gains in membership if it issues a continu­

ous stream of written propaganda. Pamphlets and leaflets must be widely

circulated. These steps are fundamental in building-up a workers' Party,

In order to raise the intellectual level of the Party, the Administrat­

ive Council should arrange for lectures, Study Classes, Debates, and

Discussions, so that members of the Party may become accustomed to addreaaj

meetings and to intelligently discuss the Party's point of view. The Party

must particularly enoourage and assist those of Its members who show

special aptitude for public speaking.

All members of the Party should be drawn into Party work. It Is only

through the sacrifice of time and energy by its members that the Party

can become a live force in the struggles of the working-class. Branches

should discipline members who do not attend Party meetings, who fail to

keep up-to-date with their subscriptions, and who,although on the books

as members, take no active interest in the work of the Party,

The I .L .P . must work in the existing trade unions to create closer

cooperation between the unions and the Party, to spread the policies of in the unions

the Party, to enlist Party members from the ranks of the unions, and to

strive to place Party members at the head of their unions.

The last General Election has taught us that it is essential to carry

on special work among the women of the working-class. The Party realises

that as a whole the women are politically less educated and industrially

less organised than the men. The Party recognises the great difficulty of

educating and organising the women workers but this task must be tackled.

The creation of a Women's Section saai'should be the first step.

The Independent Labour Party(S .A .), In the evert of an Imperialist

war must issue the slogan, "Not a Man, Not a Penny" and must mobilize the

workers in the transport industries to refuse to handle and transport any

workers or commodities destlnfcd for war purposes. In the event of an

Imperialist attack upon the U .S .S .F . or any other workers* State that

may come into being, the I .L .P . must unconditionally support the workers'

State.

In the struggle for Socialism the working-class will find its main

Strength in its political and irdustrlt.l organisations. Its power to

Page 11: 2-. I. I2-. I. I DRAFT CONSTITUTION , —— ~* i ‘J ' NAME Independent Labour Party (S.A.) OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a

defeat the capitalist class and iverthrow Capitalism will depend finally

on its capacity to develope effective industrial and political organisa­

tions for the successful conduct of the c&r s s-struggle outside Parliament.

The working-class must discard the belief that Socialism can be

aeheived simply by voting power exercised through Parliament and must

recognise t^at Parliament id the instrument of government of the

Capitalist State. Parliament cannot be the main instrument for the

destruction of that State of which it is the political expression.

Parliamentary activity is essential, however, in the work of socialist

parties In so far as It proves practicable to net through the existing

constitutional forms whilst the lastrument of working-class government

is being forged.

Parliamentary activity can also be an Important auxiliary in the develop­

ment of a jcaatsitK class-conscious working-class in the opportunities It

gives for

(a) A Platform fo r opposing parliamentary capitalist attackson the living standards of the working-class and for d e m o n strat in g the inability of Capitalism to provide adequate standards of life.

(b) Agitation

(c) Parliamentary "privilege”

(dl Extracting information

(e) Occasionally wringing concessions from parliamentary Capitalism.

(f) Using public interest in Parliament for mobilising working-class forces outside it.

Page 12: 2-. I. I2-. I. I DRAFT CONSTITUTION , —— ~* i ‘J ' NAME Independent Labour Party (S.A.) OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a

1 st . August ,1 933

H.Cozyn,10 Signal Street, C .T .

Miss M.Kurstman, c/o Cunard & Co. longmarket Street, C .T .

J .Campbell,4 He Korte Street, C .T .

A-.Z .Berman,61 Burg Street .C .T .

I.Solomon,8 Moray Place, C .T .

C.Pearce, (SUSPENDED)"Mount Ed^e " ,Victoria Road, S .P .

M.Wolpe,23 Milner Road,Tamboers Kloof, C .T .

M.Hansen,10 Vanderleur Street, C .T .

Dr .M.Benischowitz,122 Longmarket Street, C .T .

H .Snitcher ,15 Glenville Terrace,Cardens C .T .

S . C .Lofran,Riebeek House,De WailSsDrive, C .T .

S.Cohen,13 Hillside Road,Tamboers Kloof, C .T .

R .McBroom,152 Longmarket Street C .T .

M.Gordon,1 3 Wandel Street, C .T .

W . Duncan, ? , c t

2 Monte Maya Flats ,Gordon Terrace S .P .

M .Barnett ,1 65 Buitenkant Street C .T .

M rs .R .Barnett ,165 Buitenkant S tr eet ,C .T .

H.M.von Geldercn,55 Hofmeyr Street, C .T .

C.von Gelderen,55 Hofmeyr Street, C .T .

H . Lunn,152 Longmarket Street, C .T .

D . lunn ,8 Roe land Street, C .T .

A','Lewis ,

R Roeland Street, C .T .

S .Kahn,50 Maynard Street , C .T .

W .P .H irst ,"V illa Bervic " ,Duncan Road, S .P .

P.Koston,141 Longmarket Street, C .T .

F.Misjhlon,152 Longmarket Street, C .T .

L .Ph illips ,1 5 2 Longmarket Street, C .T .

M .Lo nes ,152 Lonsmarket Street C .T .

Mrs .M.Lopes ,152 Longmarket Street, C .T .

F .Lon es ,152 Longmarket Street,

M rs .F .Lo pes ,152 Lonp-market Street, C .T .

S .H .Lang,151 Loner Street, C .T .

J . 5 . DangerfieId ,38 Prestwick Street, C .T .

G .Galansky,37 Wandel Street , C .T .

Miss B.Jacobson,4 Jasrgersfontein Avenue C.T,

Miss M.Mathews,Primrose V i l la ,New Church Street , C .T .

H. Jacobs ,125 Buitenkant Street , tf.T.

5 . 1 . Abe 1,1 3 6 Adderley Street, C .T .

E.Netherlands ,10 Beecham Street, off Kloof Street , C .T .

Page 13: 2-. I. I2-. I. I DRAFT CONSTITUTION , —— ~* i ‘J ' NAME Independent Labour Party (S.A.) OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Party is the establishment or a

Collection Number: AG2722

WORKER’S PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA, 1933-1935

PUBLISHER: Publisher:- Historical Papers Research Archive

Location:- Johannesburg

©2013

LEGAL NOTICES:

Copyright Notice: All materials on the Historical Papers website are protected by South African copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, or otherwise published in any format, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

Disclaimer and Terms of Use: Provided that you maintain all copyright and other notices contained therein, you may download material (one machine readable copy and one print copy per page) for your personal and/or educational non-commercial use only.

People using these records relating to the archives of Historical Papers, The Library, University of the Witwatersrand,

Johannesburg, are reminded that such records sometimes contain material which is uncorroborated, inaccurate, distorted or untrue. While these digital records are true facsimiles of paper documents and the information contained

herein is obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable, Historical Papers, University of the Witwatersrand has not independently verified their content. Consequently, the University is not responsible for any errors or

omissions and excludes any and all liability for any errors in or omissions from the information on the website or any related information on third party websites accessible from this website.

This document is part of a collection held at the Historical Papers Research Archive at The University of the

Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa