§ MR. TOMLINSONasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether his attention has been called to a decision of the Judge of the Wrexham County Court to the effect that he has no jurisdiction under the twenty-second section of "The Friendly Societies Act, 1875," 38 and 39 Vic. c. 60, to deal with disputes between a society and a registered branch of the same society as defined 216 By "The Friendly Societies Amendment Act, 1876," 39 and 40 Vic. c. 32; whether it was the intention of the framers of the Acts that all such disputes should be within the scope of the twenty-second section of the Act of 1875; and, whether he will bring in a Bill to remedy this defect?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)In reply to the hon. Gentleman, I have to say that I know nothing of the decision of the Wrexham County Court Judge, except as it is referred to in the Question. I believe that it was the intention of the late Government, in framing the Friendly Societies Amendment Act, 1876, that all disputes within societies (except such as are subject to the special provisions of Section 30 of the Friendly Societies Act, 1875) should be within the scope of Section 22 of that Act. But the decision of a County Court Judge cannot, it appears to me, afford a sufficient ground for altering the law. If the higher Courts should confirm this decision I will then take the matter into consideration, with a view to see whether the law should be altered.