less than four pages to a report of the meeting. After speaking in terms of high encomium of the Manchester Unity, the writer says "It has been our pleasure this week to attend the meetings of the A.M.C., and we should be wanting in sincerity did we fail to state, that an assembly of gentlemen more capable of legislating upon questions of deep import we have never met. In their deliberations there was an utter absence of all that fulsome adulation which public representatives generally take so much pains to lavish upon somebody or other; there was one continuous display of those attainments that distinguish men holding high public offices, and the manner in which business was despatched was a pattern worthy of imitation by representatives of infinitely higher pretensions. With a constitutionally-elected body like the A.M.C., the Manchester Unity may well progress; and had we not an item of the financial position of the Order before us, we should be inclined to advocate its principles from the fact that in its ranks so sterling an amount of ability is concentrated."

The Lodge Room.

UNIVERSAL TABLES FOR PAYMENTS AND BENEFITS.

WE inserted in No. 10, p. 53, a communication referring to a subject of great importance-the extension of benefits in the Manchester Unity. We believe the proposition often urged for "double payments-double benefits" has been as often negatived, chiefly for the reason that it was well understood the various rates prevailing in districts and lodges were most unsatisfactory groundwork upon which to engraft such a plan. Wherever a scale of payments was in use, too low to be safe, the permission to accept double payments for double benefits, on the same scale, would have doubled the existing mischief, and have risked the speedier downfall of a lodge. But we think the matter has not been carefully viewed, and that the real difficulty to be overcome is small. It wants but a proper decision, once for all, of an A.M.C., and the working out of that decision may be well left to the Board of Directors and district committees. It is a strange and remarkable fact, yet none the less true, that the general laws do not prescribe any scale of payments and benefits! Many may say, there must be a mistake in this statement. But let us see: the words of the 125th are, "Every member shall pay his contributions, which shall not be less than 3d. per week clear to the sick and funeral funds of the lodge." The 145th provides, that members initiated after 1st August, 1853, "shall pay, in addition to the usual contribution paid by other members," a further periodical contribution according to age on entrance. But for what benefits? On this point the general laws are silent. The 67th says:-"Each district in the Unity shall fix the amount of contributions to be paid by the members of each lodge in the district, subject to the provisions of Law 145. Each district shall fix the amount to be paid by each lodge during sickness, for such payment, and the amount of the funeral donations." Districts, then, can do whatever they please; and if, unfortunately, one fixes upon such large benefits as soon run out the funds, more provident members of the Unity in other districts and lodges have the gratification of knowing they must relieve the members, from im

provident places, who become chargeable under the 42nd Law. The time is coming when such anomalies, or inconsistences, must be grappled with, The present state of things is far from satisfactory, judging from page 14. &c., of the Quarterly Report for January, 1859. We shall repeat parts of it here, because it will be new to our readers; and because members have not the same chance of quietly perusing the report, as their own copies of the Magazine. We may also induce some to borrow the report who would otherwise know nothing of its contents.

"199 different scales of contributions and benefits exist in the Unity; in 20 districts the members contribute only threepence per week to the sick." The following lines show the payments in different districts, and the variety of benefits allowed :

Others 5 charge

The benefits allowed being about the same in proportion to the payments, as in those districts where 5d. is contributed.

6 A large portion of members of the Unity are paying

Another very large portion of lodges in the Unity are charging

£5

5d. for

10s. 12 months.

5s. afterwards.

£10

£5

It must be confessed this is somewhat better than the statement in p. 47, vol. 2, extracted from the Reports for 1845; and the directors have done great service in promulgating such particulars, with a correct table showing the value of the payments and benefits.

It appears from that table that if a young man of 20 pays 5d. per week, the present value of his contribution is £24 0s. 4d. If the benefits he assures for are 10s. per week in sickness for first twelve months, 5s. weekly after, £10 at his own death and £5 on death of his wife, the present value of those benefits would be £19 19s. 8d. He would therefore be paying too much by £4 0s. 8d. ; and if he were charged 4d. weekly, it would be quite enough. Similar remarks apply to the other early ages; and there can be little doubt that young men are commonly required to pay too much. If we take age 30, the value at that age, of the same benefit, is £23 16s. 6d. ; and if only 5d. weekly be paid, the present value of that is £21 13s. 8d. To make up the difference that member should pay 2s. 2d. extra, yearly ; making in all £1 3s. 10d. This table is most important, and demands the careful consideration of members.

The following figures are intended to show the working of the present 145th Law, with regard to additional annual contribution, at age 30, the value of payments and benefits being compared in three cases, with different lodges:

The last case is that of lodges in the largest district, and proves that it is next to useless to have a scale of additional contributions without requiring, by general law, that it shall be increased in proportion to the value of benefits allowed in each lodge.

To look at the question of payments and benefits fairly, we should recollect that any member may assure for a sum to be paid on death not exceeding £200, and for any sum (without limit), in sickness, for which he can afford to pay.

The sugestion now offered is, that at some future A.M.C., the 145th Law should be made to read as follows:

"No person of improper character, nor any one under the age of 18, or over 40 years, shall be made a member of this Order, nor shall any person be allowed to be a member of two lodges in the Unity. Any person who proposes a member contrary to this shall be liable to be fined 2Îs., and not less than 10s. 6d., whether the person proposed be admited or not. Deaf and dumb persons may be admitted.

"The payments on initiation, and for contributions, shall be those stated in Table I., appended to these laws (according to age on the birthday previous to being initiated), for the benefits stated at the head of Table I. Any member, who shall not be married at the time of his initiation, shall be at liberty, within three months afterwards, to claim a reduction in the amount of his contribution, of such sum stated in Table III., as is necessary to assure the amount payable at a wife's death; but should such member afterwards marry, he shall furnish a certificate that his wife is in good health, and pay extra contribution according to the age of his wife, as stated in Table III., or otherwise shall not be entitled to any benefit on her death.

"Any lodge admitting a person for a less initiation fee, or upon payment of less contributions than those specified in Table I., for the benefits there stated, (except as aforesaid) shall, on proof thereof being made to the G.M. and Board of Directors, be expelled from the Order.

"Any member admitted under Table I. shall be at liberty at the time of his initiation or at any future period, to redeem such part of his contribution as he may wish, by making such immediate payment as is stated in Table II., opposite the age when he may so wish to redeem."

"Any member admitted under, or paying according to, Table I. shall be at liberty to contribute for such extra benefits, or any of them, as are stated at the head of Table III. on payment of such extra contributions, applicable to the case, as are stated in Table III, opposite the age when he may so wish to contribute."

Table I.

Fee on

Annual Contribution
to be paid quarterly.

Age last
Birthday. Initiation.

Benefits to be received.

In sickness, 10s. weekly for 1st 12 mo. 58. afterwards.

On death of member £10

On death of wife...... £5

Table II.

REDEMPTION SCALE.

NOTE.-When a member redeems any part of his contributions, and afterwards takes his clearance, this table would prove what sum should be paid by his lodge, or by him, to that in which his clearance is received. In case of any dispute the decision of the G.M. and C.S. of the Order, in the matter, to be acted on.

Age last
Birthday.

Table III.

EXTENDED BENEFITS.

Annual contribution
to be paid quarterly.
Sickness.

| 5s. | 10s. |

| £5 | £10 | | £2 10s. | £5 | Or for other benefits, on paying increased contributions at the same rate.

This is a mere suggestion, capable of extension and improvement, when any A.M.C. shall resolve to alter the 145th general law. The first and most important object, gained by such an improved law would be the removal of the acknowledged injustice arising from clearances, which must (under certain conditions) be received by a lodge, notwithstanding the contributions payable by the members bringing them may be manifestly insufficient to provide for the benefits given in the lodges receiving them. The second advantage would be that such a plan could be certified by any Actuary, and the Unity would have the public credit (if it is thought so) of the Registrar's certificate stating that fact. The third and not the least important object insured would be uniformity in the scale of payments for certain benefits throughout the entire Unity.

It is only fair to anticipate objections, that the matter may be well considered. Some districts might urge from their favourable experience, as compared with others, the payments would be more than necessary for providing for such benefits. This is at once met by having a rule in every lodge for a periodical account being taken, by competent persons, of the "profit" gained, placing the share to each member's credit on account of his contributions to the sick and funeral fund. Such a rule has been repeatedly certified by the registrar, and there would be no difficulty in obtaining it and working it out in every lodge. Other districts would say, if composed principally of miners, colliers, mariners, &c., that the payments would not be sufficient. If it really is the fact that their numbers are large in proportion to other members, another table-a fourth-should be prepared, fixing the extra contribution to be paid by such members, or the reduced benefits to be allowed, in consequence of the increased liability: subject to the supervision, in every case, of the G.M. and C.S. of the Order. Another objection would be started, that the labour of bookkeeping would be increased. It would be politic for the Board to prevent confusion, by providing new books for the members subscribing on the new scale, and insisting upon their use. The work of secretaries would be checked; and it would greatly assist them in their duties if each district appointed two or more extra official members, to be "examiners" of lodge books. The last committee of the North London District adopted this step, and it is expected to prove very useful and beneficial.

Beyond these we do not expect opposite views, and must confess that, on the other hand, the advantages of Universal Tables" seem manifold. Did space permit, we should be glad to consider the subject at greater length, but have said enough to arouse attention on a very important

question. For many reasons, it is very desirable to provide (safely) extended benefits. Members would be saved joining other societies, and be more likely to devote greater attention to the affairs of their lodges; whilst the profits they contribute to assurance companies and other societies, would be secured to the Order.

MR. BRIGHT AND THE "TIMES."-We beg to direct the attention of our readers to a pamphlet, now ready, by Mr. C. Hardwick, on the subject of the recent scandals of the leading journal in regard to Friendly Societies. It is published by Messrs. Diprose and Bateman, Portugal Street, Lincoln's Inn; and may be had of the C.S. of the Order and all secretaries of districts; price twopence. The pamphlet consists of the several articles, by Mr. Hardwick, that have appeared in the Magazine, with such additions and corrections as circumstances rendered necessary. The Editor will be happy to forward it to any direction, on receipt of three postage stamps.

LECTURE ON BENEFIT SOCIETIES.-We beg to call the attention of our readers to a very practical Lecture, by the Rev. T. Allen. P.G.M., late Curate of Long Sutton, and a Director of the Manchester Unity for the present year, delivered to the members of the different lodges in the neighbourhood of Long Sutton, Holbeach, and Wisbeach-the lecture includes benefit societies of the present century-labours of Dr. Price, the Rev. Mr. Beacher, Mr. Henry Ratcliffe, CS., Messrs. Neison and Finlaison - objections to lodges being held in public houses answered-graduated scales of paymentsextension of the present bases of the Manchester Unity-advantages to the public from benefit societies-appeal to ratepayers, &c.-This Lecture is pub lished at Threepence, and may be obtained from the Rev. T. Allen, care of Mr. John Swain, Printer, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire.

STEPNEY DISTRICT.-This branch of the Manchester Unity, following the example of larger districts, has published a statement of experience for 1858 in regard to its sick and funeral funds. The receipts amounted to £1,994. 93. 10d.; the sick pay to members, £769. 18s.; and funeral levies, £146. At the close of the year the twenty-four lodges had 1,389 members, and £12,027 surplus funds. In the next sheet, to make it thoroughly useful, the ages of all members and wives will have to be inserted.

SOUTH LONDON DISTRICT.-The usual balance sheet of this district, for the year 1858, has just been issued. It appears that, out of 3,895 members, there were sick 772, who received sick pay amounting to £2,045. Fiftythree members died, besides 28 wives and widows of members. A pithy table contains an account of the sickness and mortality experienced during the past seven years; and the total shown to have been paid for sickness, funerals, and to widows and orphans, in that time, is £29,976. The statement is highly creditable to the district, which is in a flourishing statehaving now 4,023 members (average age 35 years), and a surplus capital of £33,524, of which about £463 only belongs to the Distress Fund. From all other funds members claim benefits as a right, but this is intended to relieve extraordinary cases.

METROPOLITAN DISTRICTS' ANNUAL EXCURSION TO THE CRYSTAL PALACE. The members of the Metropolitan Districts hold their annual festival on the 1st and 2nd of August, for the benefit of the Widow and Orphan Fund of the North and South London and Pimlico Districts. On this interesting occasion the usual attractions will be enhanced by a special popular outdoor entertainment, under the direction of Mr. Nelson Lee, the well-known manager. Madame Pauline Violante, "the celebrated ascensionist on the