EAILWAY EMPLOYES INSUKance BILL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8634, 25 October 1889, Page 2

EAILWAY EMPLOYES INSUKance BILL.

A PROTEST.

(Pee Uhitbd Pbess Association.)

Chbistchubch, October 24.

■ At a crowded meeting of railway employes and others at the Tuam street Hall to-night the following resolutions were carried unanimously:—"(l) That it is the opinion of the Ghristchurch railway employes and this meeting that the proposed insurance bill is a most unjust, arbitrary, and uncalled for measure, and that if brought into force it would be tantamount to a reduotic nof wages, and would seriously interfere with the good work done by friendly societies and life assurance associations. (2) That every legitimate means be "used to obviate tbe^possibility of a scheme of that nature ever becoming statutory law or a , departmental rule, and that copies'of this resolution be forwarded to the Premier and Railway Commissioners. (3) That this meeting is of opinion that if the necessity has arisen for securing to the railway workmen a larger amount of financial benefit than the friendly societies already provide, the men are quite capable of dealing with tha case themselves without the, interference of the Government or Railway 'Commissioners. (4) That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that the employes on the Canterbury section of the New Zealand railways should, form an amalgamated union and federate with the amalgamated society of New Zealand railway servants at Auckland, and that the same should federate with or be affiliated to all other labour organisations in this colony, and if possible with the whole British Empire." A committee was appointed to carry out the last resolution. The mayor presided, and amongst the speakers were Messrs R. M. Taylor, W. B. Perceval, W. P. Reeves, and the mayor of Lyttelton. i