ABSTRACT
An important and kindred form of organization is the Friendly or Benefit Society, a method of providing financial assistance in ill-health, unemployment, old age, etc., by voluntary co-operation. The method of Mutual Insurance was affirmed by the Webbs in their classical exposition to be a main function of Trade Unionism. Some societies were purely local, associated with a particular mine or factory—e.g. Redding Provident United Society, Polmont; the Friendly Society of Alloa Colliery, and those connected with pits in East Lothian. In other cases, some continuity may be traced between the medieval corporations in their mutual aid provisions and the modern Friendly Societies. A House of Commons Select Committee investigated Friendly Societies in 1825 and again in 1827; hence the passing of an Act to regulate them. The Poor Law Commission ranked Friendly Societies with Savings Banks as deserving institutions, counteracting the necessity of legal provision.
