FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20190, 30 August 1927, Page 5

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

STATISTICS FOR PAST YEAR. ■ (Speciai to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, .August 29. The membership of friendly societies, according to the annual report by the registrar of friendly societies (Mr R. Witheford) increased during the past year from 91,353 to 94,467, a gain of 3114, equal to 3.41 per cent. This increase, although slightly less than in each of the three preceding vears, indicates the continued popularity of the friendly society movement in New Zealand. The total accumulated funds of the societies increased bv £201,446, from £3,136,237 to £3,337,683, and the average capital per member is now £35 6s 8d as compared with £34 6s 7d for the year 1925. The total net interest earnings of the sick and funeral funds during the year was £159.103. This represents a rate equal to 5.81 per cent., compared with 5.75 per cent, for the previous year. t The average contributions and interest oer member credited to the sick and funeral funds increased from £3 10s 3d to £3 11s 4cl, and the cost of sickness and funeral benefits per member at risk from £1 9s 8d to £1 12s 9d, the total increase in these representing a net gain of £1 19s 4d per member. The mortality rate increased from 7.22 to 8.02 per 1000 members at risk.