INTRODUCTION. 
37 
71. This opinion, which we expressed in the 
edition of this Work published upon the passing 
of the Act, received striking confirmation in the 
following session of parliament by the introduc 
tion of a bill for the regulation of Industrial and 
Provident Societies, at the instance of the Co 
operative Central Board, framed on the Friendly 
Societies Act of 1875, and having the avowed 
and excellent object of making the law with 
regard to the two classes of Societies as nearly 
uniform as the essential differences between them 
would allow. It is much to be desired that the 
same treatment might be applied to the several 
other forms of association with which the Registry 
Office for Friendly Societies has to deal, such as 
Building Societies, Trade Unions, Savings Banks, 
and Loan Societies. The not unnatural indispo 
sition of the officials and members towards any 
alteration in the procedure to which they have 
been accustomed for years would soon, we are 
persuaded, give way to satisfaction at the prac 
tical improvements that would result; and the 
many excellent provisions of the Friendly Societies 
Acts for protecting the rights of members would, 
when understood and acted upon, greatly increase 
public confidence in any institutions to which 
they were applied. 
72. The bill referred to passed into law as 
“ The Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 
1876 ” (a), and it constitutes the text of Part III. 
in this volume. The main point of difference 
(a) 39 & 40 Yict. c. 45.