[B. E. HAVES-

1.—15.

34

Friendly Societies' Membership, 1898 to 1907 —continued.

45. Mr. Tanner.'] Is it not a fact that the bulk of the secessions generally take place in the first year or two of membership I —Yes, that is generally the case. 46. In that case, there has not been much money paid in by anybody? —That is so. It is very high at the low ages, and goes off to nothing. 47. Mr. Stall-worthy.] When one of the witnesses was giving his evidence you seemed to raise an objection to clause 38, applying the surplus to an increase of the benefits? —I merely pointed out that so far as increasing the sick-benefits is concerned it might not operate favourably to the society if they were to apply surpluses to that purpose. 48. With regard to clause 18, you think it is the proper thing to leave in the Bill the provision that there shall be absolutely no appeal from the Actuary?—l cannot see how you can get one. In clause 15 we left in the provision that some other actuary could be referred to. That was to meet the difficulty if objection was taken to the Department's Actuary. There are other men in. New Zealand who are capable of compiling a table, and their tables would have to be accepted. 49. Mr. Tanner.] You have given us the figures with regard to various orders, their memberships, values, and so on : does that include all the registered societies in New Zealand? —No, there arc some other societies. The figures I gave would not include societies like dispensaries, clubs, &c. 50. Is it a fact thai there are a fairly large number of lodges, courts, or whatever term may be used, that have failed to send in returns, and which are consequently not included in these figures?— Yes. In the figures I gave, the total membership is 56,817. I said that this did not represent outstanding lodges of about four thousand members, the returns for which have not reached me in time for the compilation in the annual report. 51. They have failed to send in returns for successive years? —There may be one or two cases in which they have not done so. 52. Are there not'some cases where they have not sent in returns for seven or nine years?— I cannot say as to that. I have a list of some of these societies. 53. I wanted to know if these figures included all the friendly-society people in New Zealand! —No; my report only includes members given in the returns sent in to the Registrar. 54. And some might come in after the compilation of the report, while others might never arrive? —Yes; but for valuation purposes we require to get information over , a term of years. There were returns from thirty-one friendly societies' branches proper outstanding at the end of last month.

Number of Mem iers. Percentage if Members. Ratio per Cent, of Lapses to Admissions. Name of Order. Year. At End of Year. Admitted by Initiation. Left by Arrears. Admitted. Lapsed. .A.O.D. 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 4,985 5,778 5,964 6,301 7,012 7,763 8,040 9,753 10,434 11,572 870 922 839 913 1,046 1,448 1,285 2,111 2,243 2,576 379 519 473 489 543 602 723 793 753 835 17 5 16-0 14-1 14-5 14'9 18-7 16-0 21-6 21-5 22-3 7-6 9-0 7-9 7-8 7-7 7-8 90 8-1 7-2 7-2 43-6 56-3 56-4 53-6 51-9 41-6 56-3 37-6 33-6 32-4 I.O.K. 1898 1892 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1,594 1,702 1,737 1,671 1,908 1,960 1,996 2,019 2,102 2,200 197 198 152 190 221 184 183 175 167 253 133 128 96 134 133 132 152 181 99 149 12-4 11-6 8-8 11-4 11-6 9-4 9-2 8-7 7-9 11-5 8-3 7-5 5-5 8-0 70 6-7 76 9-0 4-7 6-8 675 64-6 63-2 70-5 60-2 71-7 83-1 103-4 59-3 58-9 All Societies 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 35,501 38,202 40,257 41,236 43,408 45,255 47,302 51,103 53,759 56,817 4,310 4,565 4,546 4,420 4,635 5,285 5,264 6,352 6,564 7,690 2,354 2,608 2,544 2,587 2,818 2,719 2,965 3,223 3,178 3,265 12-1 12-0 11-3 10-7 10-7 11-7 11-1 12-4 12'2 13-5 6.6 6-8 6-8 6-3 6-5 6-0 6-3 6-3 5-9 5-7 546 57-1 55-8 58-5 60-8 51-4 56'3 50-7 48-4 42-5