The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-02 00:00:00

Friendly Societies,

The following correspondence has been sent to us
for publication : _

Batheaston, Bath, March 31.

Sir,—Will you permit me to invite your attention
to the inclosed rules and report of n, little society,
the Batheaston and St. Catherine's lodependeni
Friendly Society, I have established in this village ?
My only object is to ascertain from you how we
should probably be affected should your noble pro-
position be carried into law.
I am utterly at a loss to know whether we should
have to merge, as it were, into a Government society,
or be annihilated by the movement. .

I am sure you will forgive my trespass on your
va uable time, appreciating my motive.
I am concerned for my little club, which is a sort
of " hobby" with me, and which is likely to enlarge,
provided no new enactment shake the confidence of
the young men of the village.
With sentiments of high respect, I am, dear Sir,
yours obediently,

THOS. CLARKSON Fii, Cs.
Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, M.P.

11, Carlton-house-terrace, April 1.

Rev. Sir,—lta replying to your letter of yesterday,
I must request you will have the goodness to ob-
serve that the bearing of the Government Annuities
Bill, when it shall have passed into law, upon
friendly societies, is, Iv many respects, a matter of
opinion, and of such opinion as cannot at present be
effectually illustrated by facts.
In other points of view it is a question on, which
much light is thrown by experience; but by expe-
rience of a kind which I do not possess.
Others ar© far bAler qualified Then I am to judge
how far limitation of numbers is a hindrance to the
establishment and maintenance of stable friendly
societies.

But I may state, in the first plaee, that if it be so
I shall much lament it, It is no part of the object
of the Government to displace or injure such so-
cieties. I know of nothing more useful, more laud-
able, more truly English and Christian than a well
constituted friendly society. What we seek is to
provide for those—and they are many—who are
unable to avail thernselvea of the benefits of such
instil utions.

The best practical reply, however, which I can
give to your letter is this,—The greatest difficulty,
essentially inherent in the business of small as-
surances, is the amount of working expenses neces-
sary to be incurred. Now, although the Govern.
ment business can be carried on without that exor-
bitance of working charges which may be observed
in certain cases, I have never held out the expecta-
tion that we can work very cheaply, since all the
work done will be minute, and must be done under
checks of the strictest kind ; some of which migh.
perhaps be dispensed with in such friendly societies
as really answer to the name. Their machinery,
oo the other hand, ought to be, and, in many cases,
I believe'is, extremely cheap ; and if they can avoid
other dangers, I think that ob this ground, as well
as on the ground of their providing sick pay, which
we cannot do, they will have nothing to fear from
our competition., Among a labouring population of
some 24,000,000 it. does not appear that more th3n
£2,000,000, or one-twelfth, are in friendly societies
of any class or kind. Surely there is here a held
broad enough for diversity of agencies, and for leav-
ing some liberty of choice to the labouring man,
which he will exercise according to his circum-
stances.

If I am asked what I mean by other dangers I
would venture to specify three. Friendly societies
will be in danger when, with the idea and theory
of self-government, they allow their affairs to be in
the hands of managers at a distance, whom the
members can no more control than the electoral body
of the country could, without the House of Com •
mons, control the Queen's Government. Tney will
oe in danger, when their rules and tables have not
been beyond all doubt ascertained by competent and
instructed authority to be, not merely legal, but
wise and prudent. Lastly, I tear they will very
often be in danger when they transact their bust.
ness at the publlehouse.
I have the honour to be, rev. sir, your faithful

servant,

IV. E. GLADSTONE.

Rev. Thomas C. Finch.

P.S.—As your question relates to a matter of
general interest, I think it will not be disagreeable
to you that I should give publicity to your letter
and my reply, which can be done !vole conveniently
now than when Parliament shall have reassembled.