Here is a report of the proceedings of the Annual Movable Delegation of the Order of Druids. Let me amplify that statement. The meeting took place in 1902.

What I find to be especially interesting is that"[I]t was resolved that it was the duty of the state to provide old-age pensions of not less than 5s. per week to all thrifty and deserving persons of 65 years of age and over who were unable to work and in need."

Six years later, in 1908, David Lloyd George, Chancellor of the Exchequer in Asquith’s Liberal government, announced means-tested Old Age Pensions between 1s. and 5s. per week for those aged 70 and over.

David T. Beito - 5/23/2006

I don't know much about the British experience but the American societies, who took a postion, were generally against state insurance. There were some notable exceptions, however, such as the Fraternal Order of Eagles which began to push for government old age insurance in the 1920s.