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1929. NEW ZEALAND.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AND TRADE-UNIONS. FIFTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1928.

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, Ist July, 1929. I have the honour to submit the annual report of this Office for the year ended 31st December, 1928, in accordance with the provisions of the Friendly Societies Act, 1909, section 9, and the Tradeunions Act, 1908, section 16. I have, &c., R. Witheeord, Registrar of Friendly Societies.

REPORT. General. Membership of friendly societies increased during the year from 98,251 to 100,928, representing a gain of 2,677, equal to 2-72 per cent. The total accumulated funds of the societies increased from £3,526,717 to £3,728,087, the average capital per member being now £36 18s. 9d., as compared with £35 17s. lid. at the end of 1927. Net interest accredited to the Sick and Funeral Funds during totalled £171,975, equal to a rate of £5 13s. 2d. per cent., as compared with £5 16s. 7d. per cent, during the previous year. The average contributions and interest per member credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds decreased from £3 lis. Bd. to £3 lis. 5d., while the average cost of sickness and funeral benefits paid was the same as in 1927 —viz., £1 12s. 9d. per member. The total net gain in these particular funds for the year amounted to £1 15s. 8d per member. The number of members who died was 756, equal to 7-56 per thousand members at risk, as compared with 776 and 7-98 respectively during 1927. Registrations. There were registered during the past year twenty-two new branches, as follows : —M.U.1.0.0.F. : Otorohanga Lodge, Kerepeehi Lodge, Ranfurly Lodge, Mount Albert Lodge, and Waiuku Lodge (Auckland District), Rangiwahia Lodge (Wanganui District), and Princess Mary Lodge (Otago District). 1.0.0. F. : Rawhiti Lodge, Pukckura Rebekah Lodge, Rose of Kawarau Rebekah Lodge, Gisborne Rebekah Lodge, Haeata Rebekah Lodge, and Westmere Lodge. A.O.F. : Court Pride of Dannevirke (Hawke's Bay District), Court Pride of Papatoetoe, Court Concord, Court Hinemoa, Court Te-Ra, and Court Hikurangi (Auckland District). U.A.O.D. : Pride of Moera Lodge (Grand Lodge of the North Island of New Zealand). 1.0. R. : Mount Albert Tent (New Zealand District), and Star of New Brighton Tent (New Zealand Central District). There was also one isolated friendly society registered. The following registration was cancelled by request: —G.U.0.0.F. : Richmond United Branch. The following changes of name were approved : —1.0.R. : " The New Zealand Central District " to " The New Zealand Central District, No. 86." I.F.S. : " Grey Valley Accident Relief Fund "to " Brunner Miners' Sick Fund." W.M.C. : " Palmerston North Working-men's Club and Literary Institute "to " The Palmerston North Cosmopolitan Club." 1.0. G.T. ; " The Grand Lodge of New Zealand of the Independent Order of Good Templars " to " The Grand Lodge of New Zealand of the International Order of Good Templars."

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