Benefit Societies Commission.

Hastings Standard, Issue 360, 30 June 1897, Page 2

Benefit Societies Commission.

[By Telegraph.] (Pi r Press Association.) Auckland, June 29. Mr David Elston, clerk, and Mr James H. Havelock, to the Sugar Company, gave evidence that the society was a benefit to the men, who had sufficient control of it. Henry M'Laughlan, on whose petition to Parliament the Commission was set up, and who left the company's employ in October, 1896, said it was the provident fund to which he objected. Questioned as to the statements in his petition he said he wished to withdraw the portion about being called up by the manager and discharged. He belonged to the Foresters and Oddfellows. Mr Allright told him to give one up; lie gave up the Oddfellows. The men reckoned it was compulsory, as the petition was in the pay office, and when they went for their pay were asked to sign it. He signed a great number of papers ; at first because he thought he would suffer. The men wanted the society broken up ; they prayed the Bill would pass. This day. At the Benefit Society's Commission to-day further evidence from the Sugar Company's employes showed that nearly the whole of the employes regarded the society as a very good thing. They were of the opinion that the company acted fairly. Major Steward said he thought the company very fair indeed.