THAMES MINERS' ACCIDENT RELIEF FUND.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1987, 18 May 1875, Page 2

THAMES MINERS' ACCIDENT RELIEF FUND.

A meeting of miners, miniDg employees, and subscribers to the above fund was held at the Warden's Court House at half-past seven o'clock last night to make such arrangements as would justify the^ Committee in continuing the affairs of the fund or pass resolutions to pay off liabilities and close up the fund.

There were present—Captains Fraser (President) and Goldsmith, Messrs, Richards, Murray, J. W. Walker, Donnelly, Lowe, Hicks, Potts, and others whom we could not see, as the room was dimly lighted, besides about a score of miners.

Captain Fraser, President of the Miners Relief Fund, took the chair and read the advertisement calling the meeting. For the information of the few miners present he said that in consequence of the fund being on the decrease the Committe had not taken that interest in the matter they should. He took blame to himself at least, for this neglect. The state of the funds showed that this week, if no funds came in they would have £110s lid credit. There were no claims on the fund, and the Committee had determined to close the affair unless some scheme were proposed to infuse new life into the matter. He (the. Chairman) would be glad to answer any questions, as also would be the Secretary. In answer to a question the secretary said there were 150 subscribers good on the books at the present time. When the fund started there were 400.

Captain Richards thought that there was no necessity for giving up. A good many with whom he had spoken were of opinion that the fund should be kept going. ~No doubt a good many had gone away, but it must be remembered that only those who remained would participate in the benefits. He was for giving the thing another three or four months' trial, and resuscitating the fund, as it might be a long time before they were in such a financial position again. They had had large claims upon them lately which had been met, and it would be a pity to see the fund die out. Captain Richards said, in the absence of anyone else he •would move a resolution. It was that one and all join heartily in giving the fund a three or four months' trial.

The Chairman thought something more practical should be done. The Committee were determined to wind up if no greater interest were displayed, as they might not be in the same position again of being able to wind the matter up.

The Secretary said there were no claims from members, but there were liabilities which would have to be paid. Mr Harris wished one of the committee to show what would be-actually necessary to keep the thing afloat. There were many subscribers who would strain a point to keep the fund in existence. : The Chairman said it was difficult to say what was required. The subscriptions might be sufficient' to keep it going if no accident occurred, but if there were large demands upon the funds, the subscriptions would be totally inadequate. It must be remembered that there were numerous subscriptions and donations at the start, which had been absorbed. He (the Chairman) thought a strong committee of miners themselves would be the best means of carrying the thing on successfully. There had beea an undercurrent of opposition, against the fund—a feeling that the Accident Fund clashed with other societies, and the miners themselves must unite to remove that opposition. In case of an accident the sufferer himself might be provided for, but possibly he had a wife and family who would be rendered destitute. In such cases the Accident Fund was a great blessing, but it would only be kept alive by a self-reliant stand taken by the diggers themselves. j , Mr Harris agreed with the Chairman, but, he said, there were many men who did not belong to any benefit societies, and they had'just as much reason to say that the benefit societies interfered with them. If the Committee had not money enough—if the subscriptions were too small, the payments could be reduced comparatively, or the subscriptions increased.

Mr T. L. Murray, as Treasurer, suggested that the present Committee remain in office for another fortnight, and that a a committee be appointed, of miners chiefly, to see what could be done to increase the fund and the number of subscribers. There had been donations to ihe extent of £120, and if it had not been for that sum the fund would have been behind to that amount, less £35 given to the Hospital. He thought it would be a pity to let the thing drop through without an effort, and he.would move a resolution in accordance with what he had indicated, for the old committee to remain in office for another fortnight, and a sub-committee to be appointed to report to another meeting that day fortnight. Captain Eichards seconded the proposition.

The; Chairman said ho had the consent of the old committee to remain in office another fortnight. He, was glad to see something tangible proposed. Mr Itewe wished to know what would be embodied in the report—what their business would be. Mr Murray said it would be an object to increase the membership and generally put the affair on a firmer basis. Mr Howe, said he had not connected himself with this movement because he had been convinced that it was based upon a wrong foundation. This thing, he thought, had been formed upon too narrow a basis, and the result now seen was inevitable. He believed that the ends and objects and aims of the Eund were quite legitimate and proper, but the means used were, he thought, inadequate to secure those objects. He thought any committee appointed should take this into consideration. The miners must be impressed that they shoulddepend upon themselves, and not upon others, and week by week, and month by moath, they must subscribe to secure relief in case of accidents. There were other means of securing themselves against accident, such as Life Assurance, but in every case they must do it by subscriptions of their own —not by the benevolence of others. The Accident Fund had never secured its members those advantages which it held out.

The Chairman said it had done this up to the present: it was to prevent a failure tho present meeting had been called. Mr Eowe differed from the Chairman. He thought it was a failure and it must be impressed upon the miners that they had no right to expect that the outside public would provide for them under adverse circumstances, Whatever was

done must be done upon sure and safe principles. A speaker, whose name we do not know, thought if Mr Rowe found so many faults" with the system he should suggest some amendment to remedy the faults. Mr Eowe looked upon this institution as foreign—there was a conflict between existing institutions. It was impossible for an institution to exist on such a basis as that on which the Accident Belief Fund was founded.

The Chairman thought it was a pity Mr Eowe had held aloof from the institution so long. Mr Eowe had not held aloof from such institutions. He had probably contributed more than any other man on the Thames to such institutions, though he said it himself, but he had not approved of the basis of this fund.

In answer to Mr Brodie the Secretary there had been donations to the extent of £130, and the society had been in existence for three years. Mr Brodie then gave his testimony to the usefulness of the institution. Although he had not taken an active part in it, he believed that it might be placed on a different basis, and the small sum of money received in donations—some £40 a year •—might easily be made up by an extra effort on the part of the miners—a fete at Tararu Gardens or a performance at the Academy of Music. Mr Howe would like to see how - much Mr Brodie would contribute. All he (Mr Brodie) had advanced did not make any impression on his mind. To depend on Tararu Gardens and the flowers, and brass instruments, was wrong. They wanted the shillings and the half-crowns —not brass instruments, even if played by Scotchmen. The men when they got a broken leg could not feed upon flowers. If their contributions would not pay the claims upon the fund there would be no stability, and the thing would come to an end.

The Chairman thought Mr Rowe's arguments only supported Mr Murray's view. He thought, however, that those who possessed such liberal views on the matter ought to have come forward before and helped in the work (hear, hear!) instead of coming" to the funeral obsequies and criticising the former management. It was wrong to say that this fund clashed with the ■Hospital or any similar institution. If a man, met with an" accident, the Hospital was a proper place for him, but what of his wife and family p Let them make provision for their i wives and families so that their would be no necessity for begging and borrowing when adversitj came upon them. This was the feeling which actuated him in taking an active part in it. He would now put the proposition of Captain Murray. : The motion was carried unanimously. The following gentlemen were then proposed as a committee: — Messrs Harris, Capt. Richards, Syvrett, Rowe, Brodie, Carnie;; Potts, T, B. Hicks, and Dunlop.

, The Committee as proposed were elected, to report to a.meeting to be held in the same place on Monday week next. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings. It was arranged that the sub-committee should meet at the same place on next Wednesday evening.