This was the text of the first Labor Platform.
I
Electoral reform, to provide for the abolition of plural voting; the abolition of money deposits in Parliamentary elections; extension of the franchise to seamen, shearers, and general labourers by means of the provision for the registration of votes; extension of the franchise to policemen and soldiers; abolition of the six months residential clause as a qualification for the exercise of the franchise; single member electorates and equal electoral districts on adult population basis; all Parliamentary elections to be held on one day, that day to be a public holiday, and all public- houses to be closed during the hours of polling.
II
Free, compulsory, and technical education, higher as well as elementary, to be extended to all alike.
III
Eight hours to be the legal maximum working-day in all occupations.
IV
A Workshop and Factories Act, to provide for the prohibition of the sweating system; the supervision ofand boilers and machinery, and the appointment of representative working-men as inspectors.
V
Amendment of the Mining Act, to provide for all applications for mineral leases being sumarily dealt with by the local wardens; the strict enforcement of labour conditions on such leases; abolition of the leasing system on all new goldfields; the right to mine on private property; greater protection to persons engaged in the mining industry, and inspectors to hold certificates of competency.
VI
Extension to seamen of the benefits of the Employers' Liability Act
VII
Repeal of the Masters and Servants Act and the Agreements Validating Act.
VIII
Amendment of the Masters and Apprentices Act and the Trade Union Act.
IX
Establishment of a Department of Labour, a national bank, and a national system of water conservation and irrigation.
X
Elective magistrates.
XI
Local government and decentralisation; extension of the principle of the Government as an employer, through the medium of local self-governing bodies; the abolition of our present unjust and injurious method of raising municipal revenue by the taxation of improvements effected by labour.
XII
The federation of the Australasian colonies upon a national as opposed to an Imperialistic basis; and the abolition of the present Defence Force, and the establishment of our military system upon a purely voluntary basis.
XIII
The recognition in our legislative enactments of the natural and inalienable rights of the whole community to the land - upon which all must live, and from which by labour all wealth is produced - by the taxation of value which accrues to land by the presence and needs of the community, irrespective of improvements effected by human exertion; and the absolute and indefeasible right of property on the part of all Crown tenants in improvements effected on their holdings.
XIV
All Government contracts to be executed in the colony.
XV
Stamping of Chinese - made furniture.
XVI
Any measure that will secure for the wage-earner a fair and equitable return for his or her labour.