THE RAILWAY SERVANTS' CATECHISM.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XV, Issue 4723, 18 July 1890, Page 4

THE RAILWAY SERVANTS' CATECHISM.

(From New Zealand Bevlew.) What ia your name ?—Railway slave. Who gave you this name?—My superintendents and agents when entering their service, wherein I was made a Fee Gee, a branded alive, and my children to wear nothing but raga. What did your superintendents and agents do for you?—Tbey did promise several things : Ist. That I should work ail boors that God sends, and tbink no more of the comforts of this life ; 2ad. That I should bow dowr, come wbeu sent f. r, and think not of slop, do any dirty work, and bo a railway slave to tho cud of my days. Doit thou do' think thon art bound to work, and du all as they make for thee to do?—No! verily; and by my God and my fellow men's help, I will try by agitation, and If necessary, strike and shake off the abac-ties by which I am bcuod. Name the articles of thy belief.- I believe that superintendents and agents are respectors of persons; in some cases, a good hare, duck, or goose will have the desired effect. I balleie the Inrd created all things for the good of man, and every man should enjoy the frnits of his labor. I believe that I have to give the fruits of my slavery to those who think not of their fellow men. and care not for anything, only a good dividend. I believe if auch slavery continues, and my family increases, that I shall not be able to psy my does, and that my family will be cast on Ibo world, or to refuge in the poorhouae. I also believe the time hath now come when direc'.ors, managers, and superintendents must be madu to know that their fellow beings, the bone and siuew of onr vast lines, will no longer endure or submit to the enormout dnties put on them. I also believe in shortening ■he hours snd increasing the wages, and the emancipation of all railway slaves. What dost thon learn in these articles of thy belief?-lit. I learn that justice and the public should demand Bucb slavery to cease, and that eight hours abonld be a day's work, and all overtime p»ld for at extra rates ; further, that I appoint the Board cf Trade, or any number of gentlemen that wonld > bonecessary,Bbould arbitration, be required. 2 Tnat guards, enginemen, shunters, signalmen, and all others concerned, will go hand In hand, shoulder to shoutder, in defence of our rights, and never say die until we have obtained what we ask for—onr common rights. I believe we havo asked for nothing nnreaaonable, and, if needs be, we shall face the directors like true Britons ; for he who would not fight for honest bread for his children would not fight for the land that gave him birth. You have ssid that your superintendents and agents have and did bind yon to keep many cf their useless laws and commandments. Tell me how nuny Ibey be. T,-n. Name them. 1. Thou shalt not havo shorter hours. 2. Thou shalt not ask for a rise in wages, but shalt tske whatevir we like to <tfcr thee, and depart In peace. 3. Thou shall not take tho name of thy superiors in vaio, no matter what dnties arc imposed on tbee, on pain, when leaving tho service, thy character will be held from thee, or branded with the letter 1); so that then wilt have nochancoof obtaining honest bread. 4. Thon shalt bear in mind thon art ooly a servant at will; 365 days and 165 nights shalt thon work, and do all we have to do. The remainder of the nights thou maypst look after tby family at home. 5. Thou shalt not covet our position, our bread and wine, our good fires, our servants, our cittle, or anything tnat belongs to us. 6. Thou shalt not complain to the public or expose our harshness and weakness, but must endure with long suffering and patience, bo that thou msyest be called a profitable railway slave. 7. Thon shalt alwaya hold thyself in readiness, Sundays and week days, to work all honra God seods. 8 Thou Bhalt have no breakfast or dinner hours allowed, only by special order. 9. Tbou shalt have no other gods but we, and mind thou worship us well, especially on Sundays. 10. Tbou sh»lt honor and obey onr system of block, onr laws and commandments, and come when sent for, or tby days will bo ehort ia the laud that thou walkeat in.