WORK AND WAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7180, 3 June 1891, Page 4

WORK AND WAGES.

[Per Pbbbb Association. I ATJCKLA.ND, June 2. In the case against Collins, _ Mine Manager at Huntley, of neglecting to properly timber the drive which collapsed -on Ralph's property, judgment was given against him, and he was fined .£2O and coats. The costs amount to £67, and the other expenses will, it is said, be between .£SOO and .£6OO. WELLINGTON, June 2. In the course of a letter to the Chinese residents, thanking them for having taken jpart in the Parnell memorial demonstration on Queen's Birthday night, the -Secretary of the Demonstration Committee sayst— "Tour kind assistance waß most opportune, and tended largely to the success of the Committee's efforts; and it was all the more gratifying seeing that you were, practically speaking, requested to take part in a movement almost unknown to yourselves. The eight-houTs' system, unfortunately, your race has not understood, up to the present time, but from this, it may be said, spontaneous assistance, you bo generously afforded at the late carnival, the Committee earnestly suggest your early emulation of that treasure so dear to the British workman — the eight-hours' system." The Dunedin Evening Star says :— For some time past the Directors of the Union Company have had under their consideration the adoption of a scheme by which the relations between the Company and their employees afloat would be drawn more oloaely together, and the carrying out of , which would tend to make each take a more direct interest in the other's welfare, and so lead to the establishment of a Btrong bond of sympathy between them. As the most likely means of bringing about this desirable state of affairs, the Directors •have decided to establish a Mutual Benefit Society, to be maintained by contributions from the members, assisted by a contribution from the -Company of £500 per annum. In addition to thiß yearly subsidy the Company give a donation of £500 to start the Society. The benefits to be conferred are similar to those granted by other Benefit Societies, viz., pecuniary relief in cases of sickness or disablement by accident; medical attendance and funeral allowances, &c. ; but ■the subsidy contributed by the Company enables the members' contributions to be -fixed at rates much lower than usual, while a new and attractive feature of the Society is a provision for refunding to members re- ; tiring from the service the surrender value of their contributions. The Society came into existence on June 1. The Directors of the Company are greatly interested in the result of their experiment, as they look upon the Benefit Society as a step towards the establishment of a pension fund for the benefit of employees retiring After a long period of service in the Company's employment.