Challenge to the Merchants

The Society insists it is an entirely benign organisation, giving much-needed money to charitable causes and playing an important past in our city's civic life. But it still refuses to publish a full list of members or make public its accounts. To dispel notions that it is unduly secretive the Society should:

• publish a full and up-to-date list of members
• publish annual accounts, indicating which organisations have received funding
• publish information on shareholdings, so that organizations seeking fundings are fully aware of where the Society's money is invested