Mr. POINTERasked the Secretary to the Treasury, whether, in framing regulations for the administration of the National Insurance Act by industrial insurance companies and collecting friendly societies, the following points have been provided for: in the case of large societies, that members in one part of the country shall have adequate opportunity of holding communication with members in other parts of the country; that freedom shall be allowed to put resolutions to meetings, and that resolutions put to one meeting shall be brought before all other meetings of the same body throughout the country; that provision will be made to secure a guarantee that the figure as to the results of voting shall be accurately stated; that steps will be taken to prevent officials, salaried employés, from exercising improper influence over the meetings of members; that if large numbers of members take an active interest in their society adequate provision will be made for their attendance at suitably convened meetings; that provision is made for meetings to continue from day to day when there is much business to be transacted, and that members are allowed such expenses as shall recoup their out-of-pocket losses; that when a ballot of members is taken precaution is taken that the ballot is properly and fairly carried out, and that the matter shall not be left entirely to paid officials?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Commissioners are taking steps to see that any separate section or society formed by industrial companies and collecting friendly societies, like all other sections or societies desiring to conduct business under the National Insurance Act, shall comply with the requirement of the Act as to self-government by the members. In examining the rules with this purpose they have had in mind the many different circumstances affecting the question, including those mentioned by my hon. Friend. I am unable to make any detailed statement of what the rules of each society are while these rules are still under examination.