THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1875.

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

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1875.

The Miners' Accident Belief Fund hag got a new lease of life, but it will be a very short one unless the miners come forward more readily than they did at the meeting last night. The old committee of management have agreed to remain in office for a fortnight, during which time a sub-committee, appointed at the meeting last night, are to collect information, canvass for new subscribers and generally to enquire into all matters likely to be of service in deciding the fate of the Fund ; whether it shall be wound up or started with new life. It is admitted on all hands that this f»nd has conferred substantial benefits upon members during the three years it has been in operation ; and no stronger argument than this could be adduced in favor of its being supported. On the other hand, the Committee say that when the fund was started some liberal donations were received, and

there were about 400 subscribers; so that the revonue was sufficient to meet all demands made upon it. Latterly private donations and gratuities have altogether ceased, and the number of j subscribers has dwindled down to about 150. It stands to reason, therefore, that with anything like the average amount of calls upon its funds the society could not meet the demands; and whatever steps | may be taken-to perpetuate the existence of the Fund the necessity of increasing the weekly subscription of miners will have to be admitted, the present sum being quite inadequate to insure to the subscribers payment of a liberal weekly allowance in case of accident, and a substantial grant in case of fatal casualty. Those who have taken an active part in the management of the fund say that the weekly subscription must be increased, and the number of subscribers considerably augmented before the fund can be managed satisfactorily. It therefore becomes a question whether miners would not do better to join one or other of the friendly societies, in which they would receive benefit during sickness from ordinary causes as well as medical attendance. If men have to. pay one shilling per week to obtain relief in case of accident, they had better pay a little more and ensure against disability of any kind. They must not overlook the fact, too, that in subscribing to such a scheme as the Miners' Accident Belief Fund they have no guarantee of receiving the benefits which it confers. After being a subscriber for years, a miner may find that just when he requires aid the society is bankrupt. It has no legal standing like a benefit society; no accumulation of funds to carry it through periods of dulness. In considering the advisability of continuing the fund and the best means to secure that end, the sub-committee will have to face the position boldly, and unless they can see their way | to placing matters, on a firmer basis, ! by altering and modifying ihe rules and \ conditions of membership, and other par- | ticulars, they had better accept the proi position of the managing committee to wind up the fund while they can do so creditably. There are many considerations which should guide the sub-com-mittee in their labors, which they will most likely attend to, and if they cannot see their way to a large accession of members and an increased rate of subscription two elements essential to the success of future operations will be wanting. There is no doubt the fund ,has done good, but there is also little doubt but that the cases of necessity relieved by it would have been equally well met had the members relieved belonged to a benefit society. With a well-conducted hospital and numerous friendly societies there should not be any great necessity for an Accident Relief Fund, even in the midst of a purely mining community like ours.