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Taking the several years 1906 -1915, the number of lodges whose returns were tabulated, the number of members, total funds, and average capital per member at the end of each year were as under : —

The above figures include the latest statistics received from lodges. The following statement shows the disposal of the total funds (including those of the central bodies) as on 31st December, 1915 :—

The next table shows the number of members of friendly societies, the amount of their accumulated capital, and the average capital per member, in each of the Australian States and in the Dominion of New Zealand, according to the latest received statistics, arranged in order of membership : —

The number of members sick during 1915 was 11,864, equal to 16-44 per 100 members at risk. The sickness experienced during 1915 was 113,682 weeks, equal to 9 weeks 4 days per sick member, and I week 4 days for each member at risk. Mortality. The following statement of average mortality experienced during the years 191 1-15 is given herewith, but; it takes no account of age incidence :

The contributions and entrance fees paid to Sick and Funeral Funds in I 915 amounted to £112,815. Divided by the mean number of members the average was £1 10s. 7d.. as compared with £1 10s. lOd. in 1914.

Year. Number of Lodges tabulated. Number of Members. Total Funds Average Capital. I 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 500 516 505 567 609 658 664 681 717 728 53,759 56,817 58,517 64,428 68,006 71,77! 73,243 73,691 74,074 73,0-27 £ 1,057,821 1,118,217 1,1-23,886 1,266,297 1,367,282 1,441,353 1,553,339 1,643,177 1,744,456 1,85-2,355 £ s. u. 19 13 6 19 13 7 19 4 1 19 13 1 20 2 1 20 1 8 21 4 2 22 6 0 23 11 0 25 7 4

Funds. Assets. j Sick and Funeral Funds Surplus Appropriation Funds, &c. .. Management Funds, goods, &c. Widow and Orphans' Funds Distress, Benevolent Funds, &c. £ .. 1,641,479 58,311 89,166 14,588 48,861 Investments at interest .. Value of land and buildings Cash not bearing interest.. Value of goods Other assets Owinc by Management Fund £ .. 1,558,231 197,129 63,062 14,075 16,785 3,073 Total .. .. £1,852,355 Total .. £1,852,355

state or Dominion. Number Date of Return. of Lodges. Number of Members. Amount of Funds, Capital per Member. -f New South Wales .. Victoria New Zealand South Australia Queensland Tasmania.. Western Australia .. .. 31st December, 1914 I 1,874 1914 1,524 1914 717 1914 578 1914 550 .. i „ 1914 209 .. „ 1914 296 182,223 159,741 74,074 66,532 52,247 28,399 19,903 £ 1,784,931 2,644,210 1,744,456 1,189,218 747,844 241,387 236,935 £ s. d. 9 15 10 16 11 I 23 11 0 17 17 0 14 6 3 10 6 4 11 18 1 Sickness.

Mom ibers. Wiran. 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 Year. Number who died. 475 471 523 506 767 7-10 210 6-80 241 7-38 • 158 7-02 238 10-68 240 Number per 1,000 Members at Risk. 3-14 3-48 2-23 3-30 3-33 Si iek and Funerai /, Funds.