The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-11-09 00:00:00

FRIENDLT SOCIETIES.

Extracts from a Pamphlet entitled" Consideratioes on the necessity
of appointing a Board of Commissioners fur the protection and
encouragement of Friendly Societies. By an Actuary."
" Whatever may have been the cause, I have not yet learned, but
it is certain, that the higher classes neglected Benefit Societies at
their oatseeand these associations were formed of the most ignorant
mechanics, without any regard to the propriety of their plans or the
prospect of ultimate success. 41t this period it was at once the duty
and the interest of the more wealthy claws to patronise their et.
forts and encourage their undertakings; but instead of this, they
were driven by the indifference of their superiors to seek accommo-
dation for their club business in the taproom, and security foe their
funds in the hands of the tipster. And it is not too much to say,
that to the associates peculiar to the one, and the sinister designs
or failure of the other, aided as they were by the geieral ignorance
of the members, may be attributed the accumulated evils under
which they now exist. Hence it is clear that the neglect of societies
by the te;her classes, was the source of that mischief which they
now so gee •erally condemn." • • •
" The establishment of Banks for Savings was a measure
strongly recommended by many persons, who might have been
content to praise their favourite undertakings without deprecating
others : never perhaps was one class of institutions more libelled
by the advocates of another titan in this instance; Friendly So-
cieties. in all their forms, were abused—the uncertainty, the delta.
.ion, the public-house fleeting., the improvident plans—in short,
all the imperfections and vices which had generated from the ne.
select of the higher classes, were arrayed against the unfortunate
Societies by the wealthy patrons of Savings Banks; the new insti.
tutions were encouraged at the expense of the old—the fabric was
attempted to be raised where food the formidable remains of the
elder building—but prudence: suggested another site, and the
rugged edifice still shelters its proper objects, while its rival,
though reared professedly to protect the mechanic and the labourer,
has been converted to the use of others. But supposing for a mo-
ment that this were not the case, did Banks for Savings meet with I
neglect ?—were the depositors left to themselves ?--driven to pub.
lie-houses tor meetings, and to landlordrfoe treasurers?—as were
the members of Benetit Societies. No ; school-rooms, chapels, and
proper offices were selected for their business; honorary subscribers
mile forward to their support; housekeepers and parish officers
looted their committees, Members of Parliament their trustees,
and noblemen their patrons; and then, with all the disadvantages
of ignotimee and neglect 04 the one band, and the benefit of excel'.
sive patronage and eticouragentetit on the other, the two ins itutions
were compared, to show the superiority of the Banks over the Be.
befit Societies." • • • •
`• Will the advocates for Savings Banks be easily persuaded
to Cave their annual premiums instead of insuring their hums,.
against fire? Certainly not; yet they recounuend the mechanic
to place his money in the Bank to provide against sickness
and old age, whilst they know that sickness, like tire, though
somewhat slower in its operations, may in a short time ex.
haunt the savings of fifty years.—and like lire too, may come
suddenly before the first year expires. But most enthusiasts
go great lengths; the inconsistency of recommending that which
ie directly at variance with their own example, is scarcely
perceivable to themselves. The instance which I leave pointed out
must, I think, be very clearly illustrative to • common and unbiassed
understanding. The best f fends of the workingclasses well always
infest them to provide against the manifold wants of sickness and
old age, by means of respectable and wall-conducted Benefit So.
cieties, the payments to which ought to form a pate us.' their current
and positive expenses. To those who have anything to spare after
this, • Savings Bank may be useful ; the necessities of old age be-
ing first secured by their club, the mechanic and labourer, through
the medium of the Bank, may be able to add comforts; but no in.
dividual either befriends his neighbour or his country, by enjoining
• reliance upon individual savings as a security against casualty,
which may overtake a man in en hour, and in a few months sweep
away the savings of a whole life." • • •
"It must be obvious, that upon a subject so intricate as the cal-
culations for Benefit Societies, actuaries themselves must differ
occasionally but is respect to the rules by which each Society is to
be governed, experience shows that the ignore/lee of the parties by
whom they were flamed, the local prejudices and partialities by
which the members arc actuated, the alterations and amendments
which are made by committees, and other circumstances, contribute
to render these minor codes as ridiculous as can well be imaginal.
" flow necessary then must it appear, that these imperfect sets
of laws or rules be examined by experienced persons; how much
do these useful institutions require a head to which they could look
up for inforination : yet of these advantages they are totally desti-
tute. The law demands that they shall obtain the certificate of two
actuaries that their proposed coutributions be correct. This is fre-
quentiy attended with difficulty and delay, as well as expense, and
there are so few actuaries who can or will pay attention to the rules,
that this important part is generally neglected, and the rules and
tables are isubibitmf, with all the faults of the former, to the ma-
gistrates of the county in which the Society is to be holden, whose
sanction sometimes renders, as it were, the most intolerable con.
tradictions—the most abominable nonsense, part of the law of the
Lush

"I do not impute blame to the Magistrates; their multifarious
duties almost prevent the possibility of their giving sufficient &nen.
floe to the mks of Friendly Societies, even were they perfectly con-
versant with the necessary considerations in their formation : joined
to this, they have fur the moat part the disadvantage of being en.
tirely unacquainted with the subject, an obstacle which cannot easily
Ibe surmounted. But supposing that the magistrates were equal to
the task of altering, amending--and, as Is sometimes required—of
regenerating the rules of Socteties, there would still be many ob.
jectious to a system which creates in every county a separate Board
of Control ; it is raising so many petty governments over a class of
Crliwhose fundamental laws, objects, and proceedings should
alike in every part of the kingdom ; the result of which is a eon-
@taut jarring of opinions--• continual doing and undoing--a want
of co-operation.—and a lamentable check to all the efficient means
of improvement that would otherwise operate to the benefit of society
at large."
" The last Act of Parliament* passed upon the subject was a
beneficial measure, and had there been no other clause in it than
that which requires the signature of two actuaries to a certificate
that the contributions are vulficient, it would deserve this praise;
but there are other clauses, which *hew that its author was alive to
the objects for which he was legislating, and which entitle bins to
the thanks of the numerous classes whose interest he had in view ;
amongst these I shall here mention that which extends to• Benefit
Sudeten, the advantages already granted to Savings Banks, in
regard to the paying money into the bank (by which the destructive
uncertainty of the public funds is avoided), and the provision that
the trustees shall be responsible persons; there is yet another clause
which I select for observation, and which, although ineffective at
present. indicates a desire to promote the permanent interests of
Friendly Societies, and a mind capable of executing the design : it
is enacted, that it shall be lawful for the Magistrates to publish the
form of rules, &c., for the establishment of those institutions.
Had this power been (,laced, as originally contemplated, in the
hands of one Board of Cloning fur the whole kingdom, instead of
being vested in the Magistrates of each county, the rapid improve-
ment of Friendly Societies would have been the result; but the
measure which was conceived fur the work of one Board for the
whole kingdom, would become either dangerous or nugatory, when
left to a multitude; fortunately the latter has been manifest.
" I have ascertained by the experience of sonic years, during
which 1 have closely observed the proceedings or Friendly Socie-
ties, and have had communication with many. that a large majority
are not only unacquainted with the common principles upon which
such Institutions should lie founded and conducted, but they are
also perfectly ignorant of the lowa which affect then), and the pro.
tectiun and encouragement which are afforded
by the Act already
alluded to; arid it is worthy of remark, that in every instance
where I have explained the nature of the Act of Parliament, I
have fouod an anxiety in the members to conform to its provisions,
an anxiety which has in several instances been turned to some ac-
count. I have suggested to many Societies the means of further-
ing their objects upon better prireiples, but in only one have I
carried my improvements to the extent which I had desired, and in
this instance 1 was nearly two yeses obtaining the sanction of the
Magistrates of the county io which the Society was to be holden,
during the whole of whtch time Its affairs were at a stand, and
many of the members, in despair of its ever being sanctioned,
joined other Institutions. The Society certainly new ha.
tuns, but they were conformable to the Act; it laid down new
principles, but they were contemplated by the Legislature; yet,
after nearly twelve months had elapsed, some objections were made,
which a reference to the Act of Parliament set at rest; and after
some marks longer delay, and innumerable applications, they
were at length sanctioned without the slightest shade of alteration.
Dues not a delay of this nature imply that there is something wrung
in the system ? Is it not a strong proof, that what has been ad.
vanced with respect to the general ignorance upon the subject is
correct ? I think that nothing more pointed could be adduced, to
show the necessity of an efficient lloard : but one more circum-
stance will in another way strengthen the pmposition—an institu.
lion, embracing some of site improvements which had been sup.
gested by me in 1810 (but whose objects were in part clearly
legal), wee enrolled in another place, so that these two facts which
establish the incompetency of the Magistratesto enter fully into
the merits of Friendly Societies, exhibit them in one place delaying
beyond all measure the rules which are legal, and sanctioning in
another those which are not, than which nothing can more effectu-
ally check all attempts at improvenienL
To obviate these difficulties, it appears to me to ha necessary_
•• Firstly, that the best instruction as to the regulations of die
affairs of existing Clubs, the formation of new Societies, and the
drawing up of proper rules, together with general observatieos upon
the proceedings of Ltese Institutions, should be published in some
effective manner.

" Secondly, that an ofEce be opened, Whete applications cotta be
made for advice And opinion upon the state of any Society, whole
affairs may require examination.
•"I'llintly, that encottrapetnent i.e given for the establishment or
new Societies, and the improvement of those already fonnixt ; the
removal of societies front publie-houscs, and for miter measures
tending to prentote the objects in view, by *wattling annual pre-
miums to those who shall be instrumentid in carrying them into
effect: and,

`• I..vtly, that the obstaciea which operate against enrolment be
remar,3ll.

.‘ The most efficicnt method of accomplishing these °Nieto. would
Ire I;y the aprototment of II Board of Commissioners in I.ohdott,
from, whom all information and encouragement might cmaro i e, to
whom ol! Frien.lly Societies might apply, and whose 'amnion
should he conclinive.

" The Cmimissioners need not exceed live in number, roe need
the salrrice be excessive; proper assistance could be pricur.tl; re.

• :,, Geo. 111. ay. 121 s.