H.—l.

Sick and Funeral Funds. The contributions and entrance fees paid to Sick and Funeral Funds in 1931 amounted to £186,427. Divided by the mean number of members the average for 1931 was £1 155., as against £1 16s. 6d. for 1930. The interest and rent received by the lodges and central bodies amounted to £178,900 in 1931, equal to £1 13s. 7d. per member, as against £1 14s. 4d. for 1930. The amount of sickness benefit paid was £152,549 in 1931, equal to £6 19s. sd. per member sick, and £1 Bs. Bd. per member, as against £6 19s. Id. and £1 6s. sd. respectively for 1930. Viewing the amount paid in relation to the weeks of sickness, the average benefit per week is found to be 13s. 2d. in 1931, the same as for 1930. The funeral benefit paid amounted to £39,733 in 1931, equal to 7s. 6d. per member, as compared with 7s. Id. for 1930. The total worth of the Sick and Funeral Funds of 912 lodges at the beginning of 1931 was £3,496,609, and at the end of the year £3,623,299. The balance of gain for the year was £126,690, or £1 3s. lOd. per member, in 1931, as compared with £158,953, or £1 9s. lid., in 1930. Investment of Funds. The net income from investments credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds for 1931 amounted to £178,900, the average rate being £5 3s. Id. per cent.., as against £5 9s. 6d. in 1930.

Table showing the Total Worth of Sick and Funeral Funds of 912 Lodges as at the 1st January, 1931, and 31st December, 1931, inclusive of Accumulations held by Central Bodies, also Amount and Average Rate of Interest earned.

Trade-unions. Three complete amendments of rules were registered : New Zealand Locomotive Engineers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association (2), and The New Zealand Workers' Union. There were twenty-five unions on the register at the end of the year.

5

Total Worth of Sick and Funeral Funds as at Name of Society. Amount Average Bate ' of Interest. per Cent. January 1, 1931. December 31,1931. £ £ £ £ M.U.I.O.O.F. .. .. .. .. 1,210,889 1,265,926 60,725 5-03 I.O.O.F. .. .. .. .. .. 303,895 322,172 16,325 5-35 N.I.O.O.F. .. .. .. .. 5,922 5,794 247 4-31 B.U.O.O.F. .. .. .. .. 6,407 6,690 373 5-86 A.O.F. .. .. .. .. 705,405 713,632 35,353 5-11 A.O.S. .. .. .. .. .. 1,431 1,411 84 6-09 U.A.O.D. .. .. .. .. 844,498 880,664 44,634 5-31 I.O.R. .. .. .. .. .. 173,943 171,833 8,388 4-97 O.S.T. .. .. .. .. .. 27,104 28,289 1,412 5-23 S.D.T. .. .. .. .. .. 12,183 12,170 657 • 5-55 H.A.C.B.S. .. .. .. .. 99,578 104,272 4,852 4-88 P.A.F.S.A. .. .. .. .. 45,658 47,412 2,307 5-08 G.U.O.O.F. .. .. .. .. 2,918 3,266 145 4-80 Other societies .. .. .. .. 56,778 59,768 3,398 6-01 Totals .. .. .. 3,496,609 3,623,299 178,900 5-15