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1924. NEW ZEALAND.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AND TRADE-UNIONS. FORTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1923.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to the Friendly Societies Act, 1909, Section 9, and the Trade-unions Act, 1908, Section 16.

The Registrar of Friendly Societies to the Hon. the Minister. Sir, Wellington, 26th August, 1924, I have the honour to submit herewith, in accordance with the Act, the annual report of this Office for the year ended 31st December, 1923. I have, &c, William M. Wright, Registrar of Friendly Societies. GIJNERAL. The membership of friendly societies shows a substantial increase during the past year, the number gained being 3,451, or 4-27 per cent. The gross funds of the societies increased by £154,260, from £2,593,692 to £2,747,952, the average capital per member being £32 12s. 6d. The total interest-earnings of sick and funeral funds was £128,153 for the year, or a rate equal to £5 10s. lOd. per cent., an indication that in making investments advantage has been taken of the high interest rates ruling at present. The mortality rate of per thousand is slightly higher than that of last year. Sick-pay, per member sick, decreased from £7 Bs. 3d. to £6 10s. Bd., whilst contributions and interest earned per member rose from £3 6s. 3d. to £3 75., the whole representing a net gain per member of £1 13s. 2d., as compared with £1 1.65. 4d. for the previous year. Prosecutions. During the year two societies were prosecuted under the provisions of the Act for failing to render annual returns, and fines of £10 and £5 were inflicted. A considerable quantity of additional work is thrown on the Department by the failure of societies to send in their returns within the reasonable time allowed. It would seem as though the latitude hitherto extended in this respect must be reduced and the Act enforced more rigidly in the interests of both the Department and the offending societies. Registrations. There were registered during the past year thirty-three new branches, as follows : —M.U.1.0.0.F.: Tauranga Lodge (Auckland District). 1.0.0. F. : Koa Robekah Lodge, Wildey Lodge, Rua Tamaki Lodge, Star of Ngongotaha Lodge, Broadwood Lodge, Northern Star Lodge, Olive Robekah Lodge, Star of Hikurangi Lodge, Kowhai Robekah Lodge, Rachaol Robekah. Lodge, Tahakopa Lodge, Waimamaku Valley Lodge, Roseneath Rebekah Lodge, Lily of Franklin Rebekah Lodge, Pearl of Mataura Rebekah Lodge, Hinemoa Lodge, Triumph Lodge, Wakanui Lodge, Mangapapa Lodge, Star of Henderson Lodge, Muritai Lodge. A.O.F. : Richard Stephens (Canterbury United District). U.A.O.D. : Pride of Mata Mata Lodge (Grand Lodge of the North Island of New Zealand), Lily of

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