MAJORITY REPORT. 
177 
(Q. 4383) object to the formation of a State Society, and hold 
that the retention of the class for the residuum is desirable. 
The Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows (App. VII, 64-66: 
Q. 5847-5848, 5851-5855, 5882-5888) suggest the formation of a 
special Deposit Contributors Society. The Independent Order of 
Rechabites (Q. 6116) and the Joint Committee of Approved 
Societies (Q. 8243) would abolish the class and would accept 
compulsory allocation to Societies, but would not give up the 
right of expulsion. The Prudential Approved Societies (Q. 9686) 
would have no objection to the formation of a State Society. 
404. The National Federation of Rural Approved Societies 
(App. XXIX, 16; OQ. 11,716-11,732) suggest that those deposit 
contributors who are unable to join an Approved Society by 
reason of the state of their health should be entitled to benefits 
at such rates as may be found actuarially possible, but not 
exceeding the normal rates, and that for this purpose the accrued 
interest on the Deposit Contributors Fund and the balances in the 
faccounts of those members who cease insurance should be 
available after any member of the type referred to has exhausted 
the amount standing to his individual credit. 
QUESTION OF COMPULSORY ALLOCATION. 
405. We have considered the proposal for compulsory alloca- 
tion of the deposit contributors among Approved Societies, but 
are convinced that such a scheme, however attractive in theory, 
Would fail on the practical side. It would be expensive and 
Contentious ; it would provide a difficult and continuing problem. 
It might involve renunciation by all Societies of their right to 
eject an applicant or expel a member. Some Societies would 
be willing to make this sacrifice, but others, particularly those 
ldentified with special interests (such as temperance), are un- 
Willing, and it would be difficult to require such Societies to 
Tenounce the essential basis of their association. Moreover, 
Compulsory allocation would tend to destroy the fundamental 
Conception of Approved Societies as voluntary associations of 
sured persons, and the Department ought not to be a party 
to forcing unwilling members on unwilling Societies, especially 
a8, in the case of small units (which could not be ignored), the 
allocation of one bad life might adversely affect the interests 
of all the members. Even if the difficulties as regards Approved 
Societies were surmounted, the still greater difficulties 
of the allocation authorities would remain, whether these were 
central or local bodies. At the cost of much labour and expense 
the Department could supply classified lists of existing deposit 
“Ontributors, but while the allocation authorities deliberated 
Dew cases would be arising at a rate not far short of 50,000 
very six months, and these also would require to be sorted 
and listed ; while provision would have to be made for the pay- 
Ment of benefits becomiag due before completion of allocation. and