108

MAJORITY REPORT.

234. It is, therefore, not surprising that those who are not
drawn to the older Societies by their interest in other matters
should be content to leave their insurance affairs in the hands
of Societies which make the minimum demands on their time and
attention. Nor is there any great harm—and there may be some
advantage—in the existence of such Societies, provided they are
efficiently and economically managed, and that their constitution
 furnishes effective means for the control of the Society's
affairs by the members should occasion arise. On this last
point there is clearly room for improvement, and we recommend
 that in connexion with the general review of the rules
of Societies, to which we refer later in this Chapter, any
Society whose present rules are found not to provide an effective
means by which the members can exercise control, if they desire
to do so, should be required to amend its constitution in this
respect.
235. One last point on the real social significance of selfgovernment.
 The question as it arises in connexion with
Health Insurance is sometimes spoken of in terms of insured
persons looking after their own affairs. This is, we think, to
misconceive the point. It may be doubted whether those
members, whose zeal in the administration of their Societies is
rooted in a desire to look after their own affairs, will in fact
approach the task in the right spirit. Rather will these tend to
be valetudinarians. It is truer to regard the administration of
a Society as offering an opportunity for puklic service in the
interests of others, and it is safe to say that the great bulk of
those who are engaged in the administration of those Societies
with older traditions behind them are not in fact consciously
looking after their own affairs. They are there because they
desire to find some useful work which they can do for their
fellows. Democracy is a means and not an end in itself, and it
is not, therefore, to be condemned for relative shortcomings, so
long as it is in some measure an efficient means to that greater
end for which it is designed. If it be permissible in these days
to quote an eminent Victorian, it should be remembered that
‘‘ the business of life is an essential part of the practical education
 of a people.” The fact that there are other channels by
which a similar training in administration and affairs may be
obtained cannot, except by the intolerant, be urged as a reason
for despising the contribution which voluntary Friendly Societies
make to our public life. All things do not appeal to all men,
and diversity of opportunity in such education cannot but enrich
the Commonwealth.

SUPERVISION OF APPROVED SOCIETIES BY THE CENTRAL
DEPARTMENTS.

236. Under the Act of 1911 Societies, when once approved,
were given almost complete autonomy, and although it appeared