§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked why the Development Commissioners have made it a condition of their proposed grant to the Agricultural Organisation Society for the purpose of promoting agricultural co-operation in England and Wales, that the society shall cease to be registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts and become incorporated as a company under the Joint Stock Companies Acts; whether such proposed incorporation involves the appointment of directors; and, if so, whether they will be paid salaries, and out of what fund?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHI understand that the Development Commissioners thought it desirable that the Agricultural Organisation Society should be incorporated under Section 20 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908 (not, of course, as an ordinary joint stock company, but as an association not trading for profit), in order to secure that stability of the reorganised constitution and publicity of the accounts and proceedings which the Commissioners deem essential before any con- 191 siderable advances can be recommended for the society to administer. It is not contemplated that the members of the governing body of the association shall be paid any salary.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTDoes the hon. Gentleman mean to say that there is no stability in the case of those societies, which are very numerous, which have been constituted under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHNo, I do not mean to say that.