§ Captain JESSELasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the resolutions of the executive council of the Hearts of Oak Benefit Society in reference to a circular, which they had received from the National Insurance Commissioners in regard to the Commissioners' proposals for election of representatives of insured persons, protesting against Clause 2 of the circular, which allows an approved society to appoint and nominate persons, other than members of that society, who may also be non-resident in the area covered by the 2231W insurance committee to which such persons are elected, and against Clause 18, which leaves the selection of representatives of deposit contributors to the Commissioners, the local authority, and the medical profession; whether he is aware of the desire of the executive committee that (Clause 12) every approved society should be furnished with figures showing the total number of insured persons resident in the area of each insurance committee and the number of deposit contributors resident in that area; and whether he will state what action he proposes to take in view of the representations made by the executive council?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have received a copy of the resolution referred to. The Commissioners see no reason to deprive societies of the option, which they need not exercise, and which, in the case of certain types of societies, may clearly be a valuable privilege, of nominating or appointing persons who are not members of the society or are resident just outside the boundary of a particular area. The society's objection to the method of appointment of the representatives of deposit contributors was that it was inconsistent with the rights conferred on these contributors by Section 59 of the Act, which contemplates that they are to appoint their own representatives in areas where they have formed an association. This right is fully secured by the Regulations. The Commissioners are forwarding to each approved society a statement showing the number of members of the society in each committee area, together with other figures which may be of use to them in connection with the election. The criticisms were based upon an early copy of a circular, which has since been discussed by the Advisory Committee and modified in accordance with suggestions made by them.