The Sun.
London, England, 1834-05-02 00:00:00

PROPOSITION IV,

That great advantages would accrue to unionists by the
formation, in each district-lodge, of a fund for the support
of the sick and aged, and for defraying the funeral expenses
of deceased members, on a similar principle to that of be-
nefit societies, but attended with less expense to indivi-
duals by reason of the large number of contributors which
it may be supposed a district lodge would comprise :—the
fund to be kept up by small monthly contributions from
those unionists who desire to avail themselves of its be-
nefits. It is hoped, that the members of the various
houses of call of the trades in the metropolis, and in other
large towns, who have collected funds for the support of
their sick members might, be prevailed upon to unite them
for the purpose of establishing, in the first instance, this
fund in the lodges to which they belong.
This committee would solicit the attention of the meet-
ing to a set of amended laws and regulations, which they
hope will be found applicable to the unions of every trade,
and which will be submitted to them for their considera-
tion. It will also be a matter of prudential inquiry as to
what is the best method each lodge can take to insure the
security of the funds it may from time to time have on hand.
The committee also trust that this meeting will seriously
consider upon the propriety of making an alteration in the
initiation ceremony, parts of which, they fear, is extremely
liable to produce in many instances, such an impression on
the mind of individuals, as to throw an air of ridicule over
that which, otherwise, is well calculated to inspire a fervid

deviissft=d fidelity to the solemn duties and obliga-
tions impose.

PROPOSITION V.

That in all cases where it is practicable, each district or
branch lodge should establish within its locality, one or
more depots for provisions, and articles in general domestic
use, by which means the working-man may be supplied
with the best commodities at little above wholesale prices,
and he would then not be exposed as at present to the ex-
tortions and adulterations of petty retailers and dealers.

PROPOSITION VI.
That each lodge do make arrangements for furnishing the
means of mental improvement to their members, and for the
cultivation of good habits among them, by affording them
every facility for meeting together for friendly conversation,
mutual instruction, and rational amusement or recreation,
which arrangements might be rendered in a short period infi-
nitely more enticing and agreeable than the delusive, per-
nicious, and dearly-bought gratifications sought after in
the tap-room or the gin-shop.

PROPOSITION VII.
As a very large number of females among the indus-
trious classes are exposed to great hardships and oppression
in the disposal of their labour by the competition for em-
ployment, which at present exists amongst them, and as
our union would be manifestly incomplete without their
good-will and co-operation, it is highly desirable that ever 3
effortishould be made to induce them to follow up the
example already so nobly shown to their sex by the
females of Derby, Nottingham, and other places ; and
that consequently we should offer them every encourage-
ment and assistance to form themselves into lodges, for
the protection of their industry, in every city or town
where it is practicable.