INDIGNATION MEETING.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1099, 19 August 1873, Page 2

INDIGNATION MEETING.

The unsatisfactory state of affairs prevailing for some days past between the sub contractors aud wages meu employed on Burke's contract, Nine Mile Road, and the contractor, culminated, on .Friday last, in a meeting being held at Sheahan's Hotel to formally protest against the existing arrangements, and that the public might move fully understand the causes inducing the men to strike work.

Short notice was given of the intended meeting, but nearly two hundred persons assembled, and, as far as the promoters of the meeting were concerned, proceedings throughout were conducted in a business like manner.

Mr T. B. Shapter was called to the Chair, and, in referring to the subject necessitating the meeting, spoke strongly against the loose system adopted of giving government contracts to those who tendered to do tbe work for the lowest terms, without any precautionary measures being thought necessary to prove whether the parties contracting were able to do the work for the price, or were sufficiently responsible men to be entrusted with payment of wages to their employees. He held that it wa the duty of the government, through the subordinate officials dealing with contractors, to obtain sufficient guarantees that the contract works should be faithfully performed, and also that every man working thereon, either as subcontractor or for wages, should be fully assured prompt payment of all moneys due. The keeping of a register of names of all men engaged, and their earnings should, he thought, be enforced on contractors, and no money should be paid by the government as progress payments except on production of such document signed by the men, and showing that they had either received their dues, or had sufficient confidence in the contractor to trust him. Failing the production of this the government official, having control of any contract, to pay the men direct and at the contractor's expense. Messrs George, Faris, and Poole made some forcible remarks upon the culpable carelessness displayed by the Govern-

Mont in letting contracts to individuals possessing neither the means or practical knowledge! needed for carrying out such work, and thus inflicting grievous injury upon the employees. wlio, accepting engagements with such contractors, ran the risk of losing all money earned, the Government giving them little or no protection.

The opinions expressed met with the marked approval of the meeting, and a very general feeling was evident that ordinary precaution had not been taken to prevent the present trouble arising, and that in the interest, not only of those directly concerned, but of the working men of the colony the aubject ought to be at once brought under the serious consideration of the Government. To this end the following resolutions were put and carried unanimously. " 1. That, as great inconvenience and loss of time has been sustained by the sub-contractors and wages men working on Patrick Burke's contract, Nine Mile Road, arising out of some misunderstanding existing between him and his creditors, and as there is no appearance of their coming to an immediate settlement, it is therefore the unanimous wish of all those employed by Patrick Burke, and of this meeting, that the Government will take immediate steps to see that the just claims of the men are met.

" 2. That as it is patent to all that the price obtained by Patrick Burke for the completion of the lower end of the Nine Mile Road is not sufficient, the Government be requested to annul the contract. That if the Government allow him to continue his contract, as a security for future payment the Government should empower some one of its officials here to see the sub-contractors and wages men paid. " 3. That in the opinion of this meeting the Government is greatly to blame in the present method adopted of accepting tenders, as it destroys all confidence between the working man and employer, inasmuch as there is no security for the laboring man.

" 4. That it is the unanimous wish of this meeting that the resolutions passed here this evening (the 15th inst.) be immediately forwarded to the representative of the district, Mr O'Oonor, and that he be requested to use his best endeavours in gaining for the men that security for the payments of all moneys due to them, and which they feel is necessary." The proceedings, which lasted about an hour, terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the chairman.

Yesterday the contractor relinquished his contract, and the men are now anticipating the assistance of the District Engineer to enable them to obtain their money.