152 Mr W. Fraser mi ilie History and Constitution of 



their regulations, that, if any member satisfy the committee that he is unable 

 to continue his contributions, or is about to leave Scotland, and wishes on that 

 account to dissolve his connection with the Society, " the committee shall 

 be authorized to purchase the interest of any such member for a sum not ex- 

 ceeding two-thirds of the value thereof, according to the age of the party at 

 the time, the state of the funds at the last period of investigation, and the 

 tables of the Society." For example, an individual who entered at 21 years 

 of age, and who has two shares in the Sickness Fund, three in the Annuity, 

 and live in the Life Assurance or Funeral Fund (the annual contributions 

 being payable till the age of 65), will, at the age of 36, have an interest in 

 the stock of the society to the extent of L. 34 : 16 : lOf, and should he then 

 withdraw, under either of the above circumstances, he will be entitled 

 to two-thirds of this sum, after deduction of arrears. 



But, supposing that no part of the capital were to be returned by either 

 of these societies to members unable to continue their payments, would it not 

 be most iniquitous to prosecute, after forfeiture, such members for arrears, 

 while there had been confessedly retained by the society a sum more than 

 equal to six times the amount ? Now, although old societies have no books or 

 tables by which they can exhibit the interest of their members so clearly as 

 the above two societies, yet it may, to a certain extent, be shewn otherwise; 

 and the case of the society already alluded to, as having been brought before 

 the Justices to try the question of arrears, may be taken as an illustration. 

 This society was instituted in 1750; and by the last edition of its articles, 

 printed in 1822, a man entering at the age of 31, would pay, before the socie- 

 ty ran any risk with him, entry-money, L. 2 ; regular contributions for three 

 years at 2s. 6d. per quarter, L. 1, 10s. ; six funerals annually ♦ (the average 

 for some years) at 6d. each, for three years, 9s. ; fines, say at least Is. ; in all, 

 L.. 4. Here, then, the advanced capital of this member is no less than L. 4 

 sterling, besides interest, at the end of three years ; and this sum ought also 

 to increase, by the unappropriated balances of the subsequent contributions 

 and accruing interest, for at least ten years afterwards. But supposing this 

 member, from want of employment, or any other cause, to run in arrear du- 

 ring the fourth year, — to be unable to pay within the limited period, — and to 

 be expelled for non-payment of L. 1, — would it not only be excessively unjust, 

 but cruel in the extreme, to oppress him for payment of this sum also, while 

 he had been obliged to surrender four times the amount ? And supposing 

 that he had fallen sick or died while in arrear, the society could in no possi- 

 ble view have been in a worse situation with him than if he had paid his dues 

 at the previous quarter day ; since, as formerly remarked, they had his past 

 contributions in their own hands, and also the power of retaining his arrears 

 off the first of the allowances. Above all, had this member been struck off 

 the roll for non-payment, before he became free, but after he had paid his 

 entry-money, and perhaps eighteen months' contributions, upon what pre- 

 tence could the society prosecute him for arrears, while they held these sums 

 in their possession, and had never in any shape been liable to him in benefit ? 



* In old societies the practice was, aiid still is, only to contribute for funeral allowances aj> 

 the deaths occurred ; but this absurd plan is of course not adopted by such new societies at are 

 estaUished upon proper principles. 



