Settlement of disputes

(1) If any dispute arises between the members or persons claiming under or on account of any member of a friendly society, and the trustees, treasurer or other officer or committee thereof, it shall be settled in such manner as the rules direct and the decision so made shall be binding and conclusive. (2) If the dispute is of such a nature that for the settlement of it recourse would lie to the equitable jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, it may be referred instead, at the option of either party, to the magistrate of the district in which the friendly society holds its meetings, and the magistrate shall proceed ex parte, if notice in writing to the other of the parties is left at his usual place of residence or abode ten days previously and he fails to appear. (3) The magistrate is authorised to require of all parties, who are or may have been members, trustees or officers, to produce before him all books or other documents relating to 14 the concerns of the friendly society, and thereupon if such magistrate so thinks fit, he may determine such dispute, and displace any such trustee or officer, or make such order he thinks fit and such order shall be binding and conclusive.