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1926. NEW' ZEALAND.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AND TRADE-ONIONS. FORTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1925.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to the Friendly Societies Act, 1909, Section 9, and the Trade-unions Act, 1908, Section 16.

The Registrar of Friendly Societies to the Hon. the Minister. Sir, — Wellington, Ist July, 1926. I have the honour to submit herewith, in accordance with the Act, the annual report of this Office for the year ended 31st December, 1925. 1 have, &c., William M. Wright, Registrar of Friendly Societies. General. There was considerable activity among friendly societies during the year under review, the result being that the total membership increased by 3,920, equal to 448 per cent., as compared with 3-81 per cent, for the previous year. Thirty-nine new branches and two isolated societies were registered during the year, as against seventeen new registrations during the previous year. There was also a satisfactory increase of the total accumulated funds, which now represent an average of £34 6s. 7d. per member, as against £33 16s. for the year 1924. The rate of interest earned by these funds during the year was 5-75 per cent., which proves that advantage has been taken of current rates consistent with safety. The mortality-rate declined from 8-09 to 7-22 per thousand members at risk. Sick-pay, per member sick, decreased from £7 3s. 9d. to £7 2s. Bd., whilst contributions and interest earned per member increased from £3 Bs. Bd. to £3 10s. 3d., the whole representing a net gain per member of £1 3s. 10d., as compared with £2 os. sd. for the previous year. Annual Returns. Patience and forbearance on the part of the Department account for the fact that there were no prosecutions last year for failure to render returns within the prescribed time. It is hoped that chronic delinquents will appreciate this truce and give practical expression to their appreciation by rendering their returns promptly and correctly in future. Registrations. There were registered during the past year thirty-nine new branches, as follows M.U.1.0.0.F. : Lynndale Lodge, Richmond Lodge, Pokeno Lodge, Fapatoetoe Lodge, Owhango Lodge, Patetere Lodge, Chevalier Lodge (Auckland District), and Marton Lodge (Wanganui District). 1.0.0. F. : Southern Star Lodge, Daphne Rebekah Lodge, Tokomairiro Lodge, Laurel Rebekah Lodge, Hinekoa Rebekah Lodge, Waipukurau Lodge, Aloha Rebekah Lodge, Kawarau Lodge, Star of Glen Ora Lodge, Friendship Rebekah Lodge, Maraenui Lodge, Bellevue Lodge, Wakatipu Lodge, Onslow Lodge, O-Kiwi-Iti Rebekah Lodge, Star of Petone Rebekah Lodge, Star of Carterton Lodge, Huangarua Lodge, Whanganui Rebekah Lodge, and Blenheim Lodge. A.O.F. : Court Balmoral and Court Pride of New Lynn (Auckland District). U.A.O.D. : Kia-Ora Lodge (Grand Lodge of the North Island of New Zealand). 1.0. R. : Hope of Lynndale Tent, Hope of Otahuhu Tent and Hikurangi Mountain Tent (New Zealand District). H.A.C.B.S. : St. Joseph's Branch (Port Chalmers) and St. Lawrence's Branch (Mataura). G.U.0.0.F. : Auckland District, Loyal Central Branch, and Wellington District. There were also two isolated friendly societies registered.

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