H.—l7

1915 NEW ZEALAND.

NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND: FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1914.

Prepared in Terms of Section "23 of the National Provident Fund Act, 1910.

The number of contributors to the Fund at the 31st December, I 111 J, was C,858, representing an addition of 1,067 contributors. There was a check in the rate of enrolment during the five war months of the year. The annual contribution rate as at the 31st December last wan .£26,520, and the total funds at llmt dale amounted to £53,717 Us. lid. There were paid 306 claims for maternity expenses, amounting to £1,816 ss. An important extension of the Fund for superannuation purposes was adopted by the National Provident Fund Amendment Act, 1914, to enable the staffs of local authorities, companies, firms, and employers generally to be entered into the Fund in groups. The (loveriimeut decided to meet one-half of the contributions due from members joining the Expeditionary Forces for active service outside the Dominion, a concession that has been much appreciated by contributors. The management expenses for the year are at the same rate as in 1913—viz., 19 per cent, of the contribution income. Abthub M. Myejis, Chairman of the Board. R. E. Hates, Wellington, 24th September, 1915. Superintendent of the Fund.