THE

INDUSTRIAL AND PROVIDENT SOCIETIES ACT, 1893.

INTRODUCTION AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.

FOLLOWING the practice which was adopted in regard to the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1876, the United Board have thought it desirable to issue the new Act of 1893 in a form which will facilitate reference by societies, together with some instructions as to its provisions and requirements relating to the administration of societies.

The Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893, which came into force on the 1st January, 1894, is the result of action taken by the Central Board of the Co-operative Union, for the purpose of amending the Act of 1876 on the lines of experience gained in the actual working of co-operative societies.

The Congress of Rochdale authorised the Central Board to prepare such a Bill, and the Bristol Congress confirmed that action.

PREVIOUS LEGISLATION RELATING TO INDUSTRIAL AND PROVIDENT SOCIETIES.

By the kindness of E. W. Brabrook, Esq., Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies, we are enabled to give the following summary of past legislation affecting Industrial and Provident Societies:

The Friendly Societies Act, 1834 (4 and 5 William IV
c. 40), allowed of the formation of societies for any "pur-
pose which is not illegal." The Friendly Societies Act,
1846 (9 and 10 Vict., c. 27), allowed of the establish-
ment of societies "for the frugal investment of the
savings of the members, for better enabling them to
purchase food, firing, clothes, or other necessaries, or
the tools or implements of their trade or calling, or to
provide for the education of their children or kindred."
The Friendly Societies Act, 1850 (13 and 14 Vict.,
c. 115), contained the like provision. The Industrial
and Provident Societies Act, 1852 (15 and 16 Vict.,
c. 31), commonly called Mr. Slaney's Act, and founded
on the report of the committee on the savings of the
middle and working classes, 1850 (of which he was
chairman), made further provision for such societies.
It was amended by the Industrial and Provident Societies
Act, 1854 (17 Vict., c. 25), and the Industrial and
Provident Societies Act, 1856 (19 and 20 Vict., c. 40).
These Acts were consolidated and amended by the
Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1862 (25 and 26
Vict., c. 87). This Act was amended by the Industrial
and Provident Societies Act, 1867 (30 and 31 Vict.,
c. 117), and by the Industrial and Provident Societies
Act, 1871 (34 and 35 Vict., c. 80). These Acts were
consolidated and amended by the Industrial and Provident
Societies Act, 1876 (39 and 40 Vict, c. 45), which
Statute is practically re-enacted with some important
amendments by the present Act.

THE INDUSTRIAL AND PROVIDENT SOCIETIES ACT OF 1893.

In this introduction the Act is referred to by the number of its Sections, and by the order in which they appear.

SECTIONS 1 AND 2.-Title and Extent.

These sections specify the title of the Act, and state when it comes into operation, and how far it extends.

SECTION 3.-Existing Societies.

This section brings under the control of the new Act all existing societies which have been registered under any previous Act relating to Industrial and Provident Societies.

SECTION 4.-Objects for which a Society may be formed.

Under the Act of 1876 societies could only be registered for the purpose of carrying on any labour, trade, or handicraft. By the provisions of the new Act power is given to register societies for carrying on any industries, businesses, or trades authorised by their rules, thus giving greater latitude as regards the purposes for which a society may be registered. This section also limits the interest to be held by any individual in the shares of the society to £200 sterling. This limitation does not debar societies from taking, and individuals from holding, loans beyond this amount.

SECTION 5.-How to Register a Society.

CLAUSE (1). Society must have at least seven members. CLAUSE (2). Form of application (see Form A, pages 132, 133, and 134) to be obtained from the Registrar [or from the Co-operative Union], then to be filled up and signed by seven members and the secretary, and sent with two copies of the rules of the society for registration.

CLAUSE (3). The name chosen for the society must not be identical with or closely resemble that of any other society.

CLAUSE (5). The word "limited" must be the last word in the name of the society.

CLAUSE (6). A society must be registered in that part of the United Kingdom in which its registered office is situate, i.e., England and Wales, Scotland, or Ireland, but if a society intends to carry on business in more than one part, its rules should also be recorded by the Registrar of the other part.

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The names and addresses of the Registrars are as follows:ENGLAND AND WALES.-E. W. Brabrook, Esq. (Chief Registrar), J. D. S. Sim, Esq. (Assistant Registrar), 28, Abingdon Street, Westminster, London, S. W.

SCOTLAND.-R. Addison Smith, Esq., 43, New Register
House, Edinburgh.

IRELAND.-D. O'C. Miley, Esq., 16, Dame Street, Dublin.

SECTIONS 6, 7, AND 8.-Acknowledgment or Refusal of Registry.

These sections provide that the Registrar shall issue an acknowledgment or certificate of registry to all societies complying with the provisions of the Act, and in the event of his refusal to issue such acknowledgment the applicants for registration are given the right of appeal to the courts. The acknowledgment of registry is given in the following form, and should be carefully preserved, as it is conclusive evidence of a society's corporate existence :

"ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF REGISTRY OF SOCIETY.

"The

LIMITED is registered

day of

under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 1893, this

[Seal or stamp of Central Office, or signature of Assistant Registrar for Scotland or Ireland.]"

SECTION 9.-Cancelling and Suspension of Registry.

The registration of a society may be cancelled or suspended

(a) If at any time the number of its members is reduced below seven; or if such registration has been obtained by fraud or mistake:

(b) If the society requests it, on such evidence as the Registrar may require; or

(c) If the society is proved to exist for an illegal purpose, or if it violates any of the provisions of the Act.

A society whose registration is cancelled or suspended ceases to enjoy any of the privileges or the protection of the Act, and its members incur an unlimited liability for its debts.