7

H.—l

Investment of Funds. The net income from investments credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds for 1912 amounted to £64,901, the average rate being 4-96 per cent, (say, £4 19s. 2d.), as against £4 18s. Id. in 1911.

Table showing the Total Worth of the Sick and Funeral Funds of 664 Lodges as on the 1st January, 1912, and the 31st December, 1912, inclusive of the Accumulations held by the Central Bodies; also the Amount and Average Rate of Interest earned.

TRADE-UNIONS ACT. There is an increasing tendency to make use of this Act, which since the passing of the Industrial* Conciliation and Arbitration Act has been more or less in desuetude. Many applications for registration cover rules that have obviously been drafted for registration under the last-mentioned Act, the policy and purposes of which are quite different to those of the Trade-unions Act. The Registrar, in considering the registration of a trade-union, is entitled to require that the rules submitted bear the impress that they have been constructed and drafted with that Act in view, and those who are contemplating registration will save much time and trouble to themselves if they bear this in mind. Ten trade-unions were registered during the year —viz., the Foxton Waterside and General Workers' Union ; the Wellington Waterside Workers' Union ; the Picton Waterside Workers' Union ; the Hikurangi Coal-miners' Trade-union of Workers ; Taratahi Meat-works Employees' Union ; the Otago Artificers' Trade-union ; the Timara Waterside Workers' Union ; the Waikato Miners' Trade-union ; the Glenhope Trade-union of Workers ; the New Plymouth Waterside Workers' Union. There were 32 unions on the register at the end of the year. Complete amendment of rules —Lyttelton Stevedores' Trade-union. Partial amendments of rules —Waihi Trade-union of Workers ; Wellington Waterside Workers' Union. INCORPORATED SOCIETIES ACT. During 1912 there were 87 societies, clubs, or associations incorporated under this Act, and amendments of rules of 47 societies were accepted. Two societies were wound up, .and eight dissolved. On the 31st December, 1912, there were 792 incorporated bodies on the register.

EXPLANATORY NOTE OF TERMS USED IN REPORT. A.O.F. .. .. .. .. Ancient Order of Foresters. A.O.S. .. .. .. .. Ancient Order of Shepherds. 8.U.0.0.F. . . .. .. .. British United Order of Odd Fellows. H.A.C.B.S. .. . . .. .. Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society. I.F.S. .. . • .. .. Isolated friendly society. 1.0. G.T. .. .. .. .. Independent Order of Good Templars. 1.0.0. F. . . . . . . .. Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 1.0. R. .. . . . . . ■ Independent Order of Rechabites. M.U.1.0.0.F. .. .. .. .. Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows. N.1.0.0.F. .. .. .. .. National Independent Order of Odd Fellows. P.A.F.S.A. .. .. .. .. Protestant Alliance Friendly Society of Australasia. R.E.B.S. . . . . .. .. Railway Employees' Benefit Society. S.A.S. . . .. . . .. Specially authorized society. S.D.T. .. .. .. .. Sons and Daughters of Temperance. U.A.O.D. .. .. .. .. United Ancient Order of Druids. W.M.C. .. .. .. .. Working-men's Club.

Total Worth of Sick and Funeral Fund as on Name of Society. Amount of Interest. Average Rate per Cent. January 1,1912. December SI, 1912. M.U.I.O.O.F. I.O.O.F. .. N.I.O.O.F. .. B.U.O.O.F... A.O.F. A.O.S. U.A.O.D. .. I.O.R. S.D.T. H.A.C.B.S. .. P.A.F.S.A. .. R.E.B.S. .. E.T.B.F.S. .. £ 590,894 74,055 4,720 2,678 326,660 1,211 171,741 65,382 17,565 21,038 18,190 2,254 2,049 £ 622,918 81,926 4,758 2,813 344,870 1,258 190,435 69,310 18,409 23,562 19,377 2,073 2,245 £ 29,017 4,178 154 138 16,325 "61 8,421 3,327 961 1,117 922 100 180 £ 4-90 5-51 3-30 5-16 4-98 5-07 4-76 5-07 5-49 5-14 5-03 4-73 8-75 Totals .. 1,298,437 1,383,954 64,901 4-96