154 Friendly Societies, State Action, and the Poor-law. 
compiled with singular care and ability, published. Legislation 
followed in due course, and it is with the effect of such legis- 
lation, rather than with the evidence and reports which guided 
those who were entrusted with the inquiry relating to Friendly 
Societies, that I propose to deal. At the same time it is neces- 
sary to refer to the work of the Commissioners, and consider 
certain conclusions at which they arrived. They not unnatu- 
rally preferred, to untried plans and proposals, the development 
of societies, which, by their numerical strength or superior 
management, promised to secure to their members the advan- 
tages of trustworthy provident institutions. There can be no 
question but in this respect their recommendations have led to 
improvement, and, with due care in the administration of the 
law, they will lead to more. Persons who devoted their attention 
to the problem, how to raise the condition of the labouring classes 
by thrift, felt that time was needed in order to test in some 
degree recommendations which were entitled to respect, and 
which carried with them the authority of a Royal Commission. 
It was felt that the condition and progress, not only of the 
societies of the better class, which were managed by men of 
superior intelligence and skill, but of those mostly in favour with 
labourers whose lot does not remove them so far as one could 
desire from the influence and help of the poor-rate, should be 
carefully watched. If, by means of improved legislation, the 
experience of a few years gave a fair promise of a healthy growth 
of benefit societies, gradually overpowering the dividing or 
sharing-out clubs, and offering to labourers a sure refuge in their 
need and value for their money, then the inference would not 
fail to be drawn that an effective blow had been struck at the 
pauperising clubs in common use, to the advantage of the 
members. The savings of the poor, once absorbed and dissi- 
pated, in vain efforts to secure their provision, were at last likely 
to give them the benefits which savings rightly applied and pro- 
tected would not fail to do. The reform was being attained, 
perhaps by a different road from that which seemed to those who 
had struggled for reform to be the best ; but so long as improve- 
ment was going on, there was little or no cause for anxiety. But 
if we are met with portentous signs of failure where success was 
at least hoped for, if evidence is cropping up that the benefit 
societies of the rural poor are no better under the legislation of 
recent years, and it is doubtful whether they are not in some 
respects getting worse, the work yet remains to be done, and has 
a claim on the exertions of all who are willing and able to help. 
If the recommendations of the Commission failed to introduce 
remedial measures worthy of the name, we must resort to other 
means than those which they offered to us. Far be it from me to 
