§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If his attention has been called to the decision given by the Court of Queen's Bench in the case of Holt and the United Patriots Benefit Society, and to the remarks of the Judges on the construction of the Friendly Societies Act; whether the Friendly Societies had previously been informed by the Registrar that by section 22 they had the power to settle disputes by their own arbitration, and that section 30 only applied to societies receiving contributions by collectors, and at a greater distance than ten miles from their registered office; and, whether the Government intend to propose further legislation in consequence of the judgment of the Court?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER,in reply, said, that so far as he could understand the decision it was not in accordance with the intentions of the framers of the Act. It was not for him to dispute the decision referred to; but Friendly Societies had previously been informed by the Registrar in accordance with the intention of the Act, and, undoubtedly, if the decision referred to was right it would be necessary that some short amending Act should be passed.