16 JANUARY 1909, Page 16

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AND TAXATION OF LAND VALUES.

rTO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.'] SIR,—A Report issued last week by the Registrar of Friendly Societies shows that the number of members of Friendly Societies is 14,606,869, and their funds amount to £52,960,807. In view of the recent utterances of the Liberal Party with reference to taxation of land values, it behoves all members of these Friendly Societies to oppose the measure, as it will mean taxing thrift, seeing that 'a large portion of their funds is

invested in land.—I am, Sir, &c., A. W. Locx.