FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. (Hansard, 15 March 1832)

Mr. wilks

rose, to move for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the law relating to Friendly Societies, and to extend the time granted them for complying with the provisions of the 10th of George 4th. The permanent well-doing of these societies had already engaged the attention of Parliament on various occasions, and many hon. Gentlemen, especially the right hon. member for Exeter, and the hon. member for Colchester, had devoted their kind and benevolent exertions to promote the welfare of these wise and provident institutions. In the reign of his late Majesty, an Act of Parliament was passed for the regulation of these societies: he referred to the 10th George 4th, c. 56. Among the provisions of that Act, it was required, that all societies previously existing, and which had not been previously enrolled should, within three years after the passing of that Act, comply with its provisions: ft was required by the Act, that these societies should submit their articles to the Barrister appointed by the Act; and, after having obtained his sanction, they were then to apply to the Magistrates in Session, and, upon their approbation being given, they were to get the articles enrolled by the Clerk of the Peace. These arrangements had been complied with in many instances; but not without being accompanied with much trouble and expense. There were, besides, ninny societies which had not complied with the provisions of the Act, and which were now exposed to utter ruin, unless some measure should be adopted to extend the time within which, by the provisions of the Act, articles must be enrolled. It was difficult to ascertain the number of societies in that situation; but, according to returns made, there appeared to have been upwards of 19,000 friendly societies existing in this country at the time of the passing of the Act; that about 6,000 were previously enrolled, and it was believed that not more than 2,000 societies had complied with the provisions of the Act; consequently, there were at this time upwards of 10,000 societies which had not conformed to the provi- 294 sions of the Act, and which would be excluded altogether from the advantages of their union, unless some measure of the kind he now proposed were adopted. Under these circumstances, he was persuaded the House would feel that it was desirable, not merely for the sake of these institutions, but for the welfare of the country, which was deeply and vitally interested in the prosperity of the industrious classes, that some step should be taken to preserve and continue so large a portion of these societies, and the existence of which was now in so perilous a situation. In order to inspire the lower classes with that spirit of honest and honourable independence which these societies fostered and encouraged, and on which the stability and permanent welfare of this country so much depended, it was absolutely requisite that every endeavour should be made, to preserve the existence of these institutions. The difficulties, too, which were in the way of complying with the whole of the provisions of the Act entitled the societies to considerable indulgence. He understood that, on the part of his Majesty's Ministers, no opposition was intended to be made to his Motion: he should, therefore, content himself by moving for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Act 10th George the 4th, cap. 56, by extending the time within which pre-existing friendly societies must conform to the provisions of that Act. It. was extremely desirable that it should be understood, that all he had intended to propose was, simply an extension of the time allowed for the purpose of enrolment, and that those societies which had already complied with the provisions of the existing Act would not be liable to make any new enrolment of their articles. It was also extremely desirable that it should be well understood throughout the country, that such a measure was about to be passed, in order to allay that apprehension which so extensively prevailed, that the funds of those societies which were not enrolled, and whose funds were invested in the savings' banks, would become forfeited. This impression, he knew, was so strong in many places, that societies had actually withdrawn their money from the savings' banks, had divided it among their members, and dissolved their institutions. In Buckinghamshire, within a week, no less than five societies sold their stock out of the funds under the apprehension, so utterly unfounded, that their property would be lost. Having it distinctly un- 295 derstood that the proposition which he had the honour to make was simply an extension of time, he begged leave to move for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Act of the 10th George 4th, cap. 56, relating to Friendly Societies.