H.—l

Taking the several years 1930-39 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 as under :—

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 at the 31st December, 1939 :—

_ 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 according to the latest received statistics and in the Dominion of New Zealand as at the 31st December, 1938, arranged in order of membership : —

Sickness. The number of members sick during 1939 was 25,677, equal to 24-2 per 100 members at risk The sickness experienced during 1939 was 311,595 weeks, equal to 12 weeks 1 day per sick member and 3 weeks for each member at risk. Mortality. A statement of the average mortality experienced during the years 1935-39 is given below but it takes no account of age incidence :—

4

Y car Number of Lodges Number ,„ , , _ tabulated. of Members. 'iotal Funds. Average Capital. }930 906 107,167 4,130,117 38 10 9 1931 912 105,660 4,277,715 40 9 9 }932 912 102,052 4,398,158 43 1 11 J9J3 918 100,237 4,538,095 45 5 6 J 9 '* 4 929 100,708 4,676,427 46 8 9 936 103,612 4,812,787 46 9 0 "IS 945 108,059 4,956,948 45 17 5 J987 960 112,888 5,120,125 45 7 1 | ( J6« 113,709 5.280,472 46 8 9 1939 •■ •• ■ ■• 964 109,05!) 5,407,601 49 11 8

Funds - Assets. £ j „ Sick and Funeral Funds .. .. .. 4,392,753 ] Investments at interest 4 741504 Surplus Appropriation I< T unds, &o. .. . . 572,09:! Value of land and buildings '474' 188 Management Funds, goods, &o. .. .. 239,348 Cash not bearing interest 135*042 Widow and Orphans' Funds .. .. 30,288 Value of goods .. ''o'eeS Distress, Benevolent Funds, &c. .. .. 167,119 Other assets .. 30*87(5 Owing by Management Funds .. .. 5,300 Total Total £5,407,601

State or Dominion. Date of Beturn. *"$" "T" I Lodges. Members. J'unds. Member. New South Wales 30th Juno, 1938 .. 2,430 212,136 4 876 924 22 19 10 Victoria „ .. 1>478 199,647 8, 30 18 5 ? eW .w f r 31st Dec, „ .. 966 113,709 5 280 472 46 8 9 South Australia 30th June, „ .. 885 90,717 2,893 328 3117 11 Queensland i 936 .. 603 69 333 1<S 18,U5 27 1 1 Western Australia .. .. .. 30th June, 1938 .. 362 26 675 644 397 ?4 3 2 Tasmania 31st Dec., 1937 .. 191 25,441 479,'276 18 16 9

Members, Wives. Year. ~~ L .,-. ™'who died. JgS&'SiSg «'who died. gg£»j&£> J^ , •■ ■• 887 8 -«4 364 3-55 J"" 951 8-05 373 &•« 19,,7 •■ •• •■ •■ ■• 1,007 9-07 403 i «« }"g '.108 9-73 Io2 ':53 1986 1.060 9.47 411 3-67