(ENGLAND). REPORTS OF THE REGISTRAR OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES IN ENGLAND, FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER 1874. (Pursuant to 18 & 19 Vict. c. 63, s. 45; 23 & 24 Vict. c. 58, ss. 1 and 2; and Ordered, by The House of Commons, to be Printed, Part of Vice. 71, 1875 1 REPORT of the REGISTRAR of FRIENDLY SOCIETIES in England, for the Year ending 31st December 1874, pursuant to 18 & 19 Vict. c. 63, s. 45, and 23 & 24 Vict. c. 58, ss. 1 and 2. Mr. A. K. STEPHENSON, Registrar of Friendly Societies in England, having been appointed Solicitor to the Treasury, resigned his offices of Registrar and of Barrister under the Savings Banks Acts on the 10th February 1875, and Mr. J. M. Ludlow, of Lincoln's Inn, barrister-at-law, was, appointed to both offices, in his stead, on the 27th February. Since that period a new statute relating to Friendly Societies ("The Friendly Societies Act, 1875") has been passed by both Houses of Parliament, and now (5th August 1875) awaits the Royal Assent. It follows substantially the amended Bill of 1874, referred to in the last Report, with the important omission of all provisions for local registration, and with some changes introduced during the passing of the Bill through Parliament. The new Act proceeds on the basis of previously existing legislation, aiming chiefly at providing a more efficient and flexible machinery for its enforcement, whilst allowing, at the same time, greater facilities to societies for availing themselves of the benefits of the law. Its provisions come into operation at two different periods. Those as to the registry office (s. 10), and as to the regula tions which may be made by the Treasury for better carrying out the Act, take effect immediately on its passing. The remainder of the Act will take effect on the 1st January 1876. In accordance with the recommendation of the Friendly Societies' Commissioners, the hitherto separate registration offices in the three kingdoms are to be consolidated into one office with branches, having at its head a Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies, with assistant registrars under him for England, Scotland, and Ireland respectively; the chief registrar and assistant registrar or registrars for England forming together the central office, s. 10 (1). The right of appointing and removing the various registrars is transferred from the Com408. Report. |