H.—l

4

Taking the several years 1912-1921, 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 asunder :—

These sums are, of course, held against the societies' liabilities under their sickness and funeral insurances, and the. actuarial reports issued from time to time indicate how far they are sufficient or otherwise. 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, 1921 :—

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 Now Zealand, according to the latest received statistics, arranged in order of membership : —

Sickness. Tin; number of members sick during 1921 was 12,020, equal to 16-61 per 100 members at risk. The sickness experienced during 1921 was 140,095 weeks, equal to 11 weeks 4 days per sick member, and 2 weeks for each member at risk. Mortality. The following statement of average mortality experienced during the years 1917—21 is given herewith, but it takes no account of age incidence : —

Year. Number of Lodges tabulated. Number of Members. Total Funds. Average Capital. 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 664 681 717 728 727 730 731 735 732 731 73,243 73,691 74,074 73,027 70,360 68,771 67,527 70,598 74,210 77,814 £ 1,553,339 1,643,177 1,744,456 1,852,855 1,954,940 2,052,753 2,100,443 2,184,653 2,321,176 2,445,843 £ s. d. 21 4 2 22 6 0 23 11 0 25 7 i 27 15 8 29 17 0 31 2 1 30 18 11 31 5 7 31 8 8

Funds. Assets. Sick and Funeral Funds Surplus Appropriation Funds, &c. .. Management Funds, goods, &c. Widow and Orphans' Funds Distress, Benevolent Funds, Ac. £ .. 2,164,011 115,968 105,615 18,787 41,462 1 1 Investments at interest .. Value of land and buildings Gash not bearing interest.. Value of goods Other assets Owing by Management Funds Total £ .. 2,121,742 206,318 76,089 14,069 22,690 4,935 .. £2,445,843 Total .. £2,445,843

State or Dominion. Date of Return. Number Number of of Lodges. Members. Amount of Funds. Capital per Member. ! New South Wales .. Victoria New Zealand South Australia Queensland Tasmania .. Western Australia .. .. 31st December, 1919 1920 1920 1919 1920 1920 1920 1,925 184,174 1,475 143,021 732 74,210 593 68,542 564 55,776 192 23,214 250 18,675 £ 2,217,796 3,173,678 2,321,176 1,419,167 1,031,614 280,315 294,120 £ s. d. 12 0 10 22 3 10 31 5 7 20 14 1 18 9 11 12 1 6 15 15 0

Mom ibers. Wi ?es. Year. Number who dlod. Number per 1,000 Members at Risk. Number who died. Number per 1,000 Members at Risk. 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1,287 1,821 762 664 615 18-55 26-85 11-45 9-17 8-08 260 457 282 285 261 3-75 6-74 4-24 3-94 3-43