The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1883.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4381, 18 January 1883, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1883.

It is proposed that the monies being raised in aid of the widows aod orphans, left unprovided for, through Jthe late sad disaster in Ores Wick, Victoria, shoald form the nucleus of a psrmauent fund for the relief of persons left destitnte by similar occurrences. The question of providing means of relief in such cases here is one that should be earnestly taken into consideration. In every mining community there is always' existent a liability to accident, and the practice which -has obtained -here for some time past, of relying npon a subscription being raised to help those who are afflicted, 'is a very pernicious one; and not calculated to inculcate habits of thrift or saving in the people. There are rations means by which working men can provide against their wives and families being left to the mercy of strangers, should anything: befall them; and it is Decessary that , these should be clearly pointed out to those interested, so that they may be taken advantage of; and a step made' in time by -many who would leave a burden on the hands of the people or authorities, were they to be cut off without making some provision for their wives and, children. The Government has instituted a system of life assurance by which men paying a few pence per week, can secure the payment of sums from £5 upwards, to their representatives upon their decease ; the Accident Insurance Co., offers 'similar inducements, which, are worthy of consideration; and the various friendly societies make provision for rendering assistance in time of sickness ; so that no excuse can be given by a m<tn earning regular wages for neglecting to provide, to some extent at least, for those for whose existence he is responsible, and whose wants it is his duty to supply. It is in the last degree unmanly and selfish on the part of a husband and father, to leave the provision for a widow and orphans entirely in the hands of the public, and putting aside the humiliating position—yery keenly felt by some. —occupied by those who are dependent upon-charity for their giving; it is not just or fair for a man to expect strangers to do that which should have been done by himself, when he was in a position to do it. The recollection of the cad occurrences at Kaitangata a

few years ago, and the 'more recent calamity at Creswipk, which we have just referred to, as ■ well as many similar occurrences at home and in the colonies, should induce the people to ,take steps Cowards leaving means to support those from who they may at any moment be separated by death. Some four years

ago a relief fund—-which was mainly kept going through the exertions of Captain Richards, a late resident on the Thames-existed,-bat no such thinp is in force now. "We would urge the' necessity of at once .establishing . something of this kind, which could be kept alive by small weekly payments of those desiring to benefit by -llf^by voluntary subscriptions from-thoje; jn a. position to contribute*; and by other

means, snch as entertainments and sports. Tbe. matter should be taken in band at once, as it is one of the utmost importance. ■■ '" -