The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-13 00:00:00

ADDRESS OF THE COMMITTEE.

Many praiseworthy but ineffectual attempts have been made to
bring within the scope and operation of the laws of mortality and
money the savings of the industrious classes, as well as various cal-
culations regulating their distribution, having for Rieir object either
immediate, contingent, or deferred benefits.
A alight examination, however, will demonstrate that the con-
struction of these associations or societies is defective; and that in-
stead of affording an easy access and a free choice of investment,
which should be the privilege of every one, they confine too nar-
rowly the channel through which -a benefit can alone be secured ;
and, in proportion as their action is circumscribed. and embarrassed,
their utility is limited. For example, it is not to every individual,
or to every class amongst the industrious community, that provision
in case of sickness is an object of such importance as to call for a
pecuniary sacrifice ; whl!e to others such a provision appears more
attractive, and the loss of employment caused by sickness Is a risk
against which they desire to be guarded. For this anomalous state
of things there is an effective and simple remedy ; that is to say,
instead of covering, by one weekly or annual payment, two or more
contingent or deferred benefits, so to arrange it that each separate
benefit should have its separate contribution.
It is to not having observed this rule, and to the association of
two dissimilar functions, and by confounding a sick allowance and
an annuity fund in one and the selt-same payment, that much of the
evils and mismanagement has arisen amongst Benefit Societies.
No mechanism can be •so perfect for the management of a sick-
ness-fund provision as that afforded by the constant sectional asso-
ciation and watchfulness of the several members composing it. By
this means a thorough and constant check is mutually exercised, and
none but the really sick are likely to become chargeable upon it.
But the same perfection, or the same security, is seldom attainable
where a fund is to be accumulated through a succession of years,
and where results are to bear oat calculations, money investment
being in general beyond the experience of the industrious classes.
For these reasons it is clear that the fends destined for a provision in
sickness should be kept entirely distinct from the fund intended as a
provision for oki age :-
Ist Because the laws of sickness and mortality, though apparently
connected, do not depend on the same calculation.
2d. Because there are a great number who, in order to secure a
larger provision in old age are willing to take the risk of providing
for probable sickness on themselves.
3d. Because the responsibility of managing a provision for old age,
continued to a distant period is, in a great measure, incompatible
with voluntary associations, fluctuating laws, and individual irre-
sponsibility; and more exposed to a failure in the performance of
such a contract, that when undertaken on the same principles that
ordinarily govern commercial bodies.
4th. Because the expenses of providing for sickness must, when
united in the same payment with provision for old age, tend to dimi-
nish still more this provision : nor is it wisdom or good policy to en-
danger the one for the sake of the other.
Impressed with these convictions, and with an Intimate knowledge
of the discussions passing within the bosom of many of the existing
Friendly and Benefit Societies, the parties whose names are here-
unto attached, have had several meetings, with a view of proposing
or adopting a remedy for those and other evils ; and in this manner
to give an additional force to the principles of brotherhood, unity,
and mutual aid, on which friendly societies are based, by guarding
them from the risks of sudden dissolution.

After much diligent search amon;st the combinations ingeniously
proposed from time to time for the attainment of one of the principal
objects of Friendly and Benefit Societies, they have found none equal
in simplicity and comprehensiveness of design, as well as forethought
and sympathy for the wants of the industrious classes, as the plan
proposed by the National LORD. Fund Life Assurance Society. It is
true that the author of that plan has furnished an argument against
provision in sickness; but, without concurring in the immediate ex-
pediency of abandoning a provision in sickness, no one can read the
other part of the plan itself, without being fully sa'isfied that the
convenience and safety of Friendly and lienefit Societies will be
greatly secured and consulted, by separating the payment of a sick
allowance from an annuity for old age.
A deputation having waited on the directors of the National Loan
Fund, who met in the handsomest manner the overtures made to
them for the establishment of a separate office for the transaction of
business connected with Friendly and Benefit Societies, and the in-
dustrious classes in general, resolutions have beets entered into, con-
stituting the undersigned as a Committee, with power to add to its
number, for the promulgation of the benefits contained in the an-
nexed prospectus, under the guarantee of the Capital of the Society,
and which, without interfering with the numerous objects connected
with the institution of Benefit and Friendly Societies, will In their
opinion greatly enlarge their sphere of utility, and afford a protection
to the working classes in old age and adversity, which nothing up to
the present day has adequately secured to them.
Themes Burthom, P.0.E., Ancient Order of Foresters.
John Fussell, C.lt„ Ancient Order of Foresters.
John 11. Gordon, D.S., Ancient Order of Foresters.
James Hale, D.C.R., Ancient Order of Foresters.
Henry Hunt, P.G., Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows.
J.T.o;eepphh
RNettegkest:fit., Por.oi,...C.OSr.,d3erfaonfeohledstrerriUenndist).• of Odd Fellows.
Samuel Timbre'', D.C.R., Ancient Order of Foresters.
DEFERRED ANNUITIES.
Example.—A persqounaratgeerdly24paiyiemzetn birthday, iorfth7dsa.,y,orbymtchnethalynnpuaaylmpeanyts-
ment of 1i • rs or
of 2s. 2d., may secure, on attaining the age of GO, the option of re-
ceiving Annuity, 101. 19s. 2d.; Cash down, 1071. 3s. ; or A Policy
n aged 26 next birthday, may secure, on at-
toaniEnhixinsaginLtiPhrieee,.—aglT po.felGr7Boo, an Annuity of 101., with the other options, by
the annual payment of 11.65. 91., or a single payment of 221.175.3 d.:
or on payment of 61. 14s. 3d. for disparity, he will be entitled to
the same benefits by an annual payment of 18s. I Id., the same as
for age 20.
Example.—A person aged 30 next birthday, by the annual pay-
ment of 11. 65., or quarterly payment of 75., or monthly payment
of 2s. 2d., may secure on attaining the age of 65, the option of re-
ceiving Annuity, 181. Os. 4d.; cash down, 148/. 12s. ; or a policy on
his life 1751. 1 Is.

Exam..lo. A person aged 35 next birthday, by the annual pay-
ment of 11. 65., or quarterly payment of 75., or monthly payment
of 2s. 21., may secure, on attaining the age of 65, the option of re-
ceiving Annuity, 181.0 s. 4d. ; cash down, 1481. 123.; or a policy on
his life, 1751.