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11—1.

The following statement shows the disposal of the total funds (including those of the central bodies) as on 31st December, 1927 : —

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 : —

Sickness. The number of members sick during 1927 was 18,691, equal to 21T per 100 members at risk. The sickness experienced during 1927 was 189,147 weeks, equal to 10 weeks 1 day per sick member, and 2 weeks 1 day for each member at risk. Mortality. A statement of the average mortality experienced during the years 1923-27 is given below, but it takes no account of age incidence : —

Sick and Funeral Funds. The contributions and entrance fees paid to Sick and Funeral Funds in 1927 amounted to £178,305. Divided by the mean number of members the average for 1927 was £1 16s. 10d., as compared with £1 17s. Id. in 1926. The interest and rent received by the lodges and central bodies amounted to £168,447 in 1927, equal to £1 14s. lOd. per member, as against £1 14s. 3d. for 1926. The amount of sickness benefit paid was £124,892 in 1927, equal to £6 13s. Bd. per member sick, and £1 ss. lOd. per member, as against £6 lis. 4d. and £1 ss. 2d. respectively for 1926. Viewing the amount paid in relation to the weeks of sickness, the average benefit per week is found to be 13s. 3d. in 1927, being the same as for 1926. The funeral benefit paid amounted to £33,305 in 1927, equal to 6s. lid. per member, as compared with 7s. 7d. for 1926. The total worth of the Sick and Funeral Funds of 864 lodges at the beginning of 1927 was £2,909,255, and at the end of the year £3,036,670. The balance of gain for the year was £127,415 or £.1 6s. 4d. per member, in 1927, as compared with £182,595, or £1 19s. 4d., in 1926. Investment of Funds. The net income from investments credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds for 1927 amounted to £168,447, the average rate being £5 16s. 7d. per cent., as against £5 16s. 3d. in 1926.

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I Funds. Assets. £ £ Sick and Funeral Funds .. .. .. 3,036,670 : Investments ac interest .. .. .. 3,023,87*2 Surplus Appropriation Funds, &c. .. .. 240,809 Value o{ land and buildings .. .. 358,978 Management Funds, goods, &c. .. .. 157,145 Gash not bearing interest.. .. .. 97,749 Widow and Orphans'Funds .. .. 25,394 , Value of goods .. .. .. .. 22,359 Distress, Benevolent Funds, &c. .. .. 66,699 Other assets .. .. .. .. 19,327 Owine by Management Funds .. .. 4,432 Total.. .. .. ..£3,526,717 Total .. .. ..£3,526,717

Number Number Amount Capital State or Dominion. Date of Return of of of per Lodges Members, j Funds. Member. £ £ s. d. New South Wales .. .; ..! 30th June, 1927 .. 2,396 240,502 3,480,767 14 9 6 Victoria .. .. .. .. „ „ .. 1,473 160,411 4,513,972 28 2 10 New Zealand .. .. .. 31st Dec., „ .. 864 98,251 3,526,717 35 17 11 South Australia .. .. .. „ 1926 .. 673 77,791 2,037,800 26 3 11 Queensland .. .. .. 30th June „ .. 561 65,204 1,405,300 21 11 0 Tasmania .. .. .. ... 31st Dec., w .. 183 24,614 359,756 14 12 4 Western Australia .. .. .. j 30th June, 1927 .. 353 23,022 403,224 17 10 4

Members. Wives. Year. XT,,™, , ,, , Number per 1,000 at,,.,,,,, .. . Number per 1,000 Number who died. Membcrs at Risk . Number who died. Members at Rlsk | I 1923 .. .. .. .. .. 684 ! 8-2'J j 328 3'98 1924 .. .. .. .. 674 1 8-09 295 3-54 1925 .. .. .. .. .. 648 7-22 1 328 3-66 1926 . . . . .. .. .. 748 : 8-02 | 323 3-46 1927 .. .. .. .. 776 ! 7-98 320 3'29