means —
| (a) | any association of persons established for any of the objects specified in section two; or |
| (b) | any business carried on under a scheme or arrangement instituted for any of those objects, |
and includes any central society referred to in section thirty-nine, whether or not it is liable to provide any benefits mentioned in section two, and any central society, association or business as aforesaid which is or may become liable for any such benefits, whether or not it continues to admit or to collect contributions from members;