H.—l.

The following statement shows the disposal of the total funds (including those of the central bodies) as on 31st December, 1926 :—

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 and in the Dominion of New Zealand according to the latest received statistics, arranged in order of membership :—

Sickness. The number of members sick during 1926 was 17,827, equal to 21-1 per 100 members at risk. The sickness experienced during 1926 was 177,240 weeks, equal to 10 weeks per sick member, and 2 weeks 1 day for each member at risk. Mortality. The following statement of average mortality experienced during the years 1922-26 is given herewith, but it takes no account of age incidence

Sick and Funeral Funds. The contributions and entrance fees paid to Sick and Funeral Funds in 1926 amounted to £172,189. Divided by the mean number of members the average for 1926 was £1 17s. Id., as compared with £1 16s. lOd. in 1925. The interest and rent received by the lodges and central bodies amounted to £159,103 in 1926, equal to £1 14s. 3d. per member, as against £1 13s. sd. for 1925. The amount of sickness benefit paid was £117,083 in 1926, equal to £6 lis. 4d. per member sick, and £1 ss. 2d. per member, as against £7 2s. Bd. and £1 3s. 4d. respectively for 1925. Viewing the amount paid in relation to the weeks of sickness, the average benefit per week is found to be 13s. 3d. in 1926, as against 12s. lid. for 1925. The funeral benefit paid amounted to £35,227 in 1926, equal to 7s. 7d. per member, as compared with 6s. 4d. for 1925. The total worth of the Sick and Funeral Funds of 843 lodges at the beginning of 1926 was £2,724,840, and at the end of the year £2,907,435. The balance of gain for the year was £182,595, or £1 19s. 4d. per member, in 1926, as compared with £106,514, or £1 3s. 10d., in 1925. Investment of Funds. The net income from investments credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds for 1926 amounted to £159,103, the average rate being £5 16s. 3d. per cent., as against £5 14s. lid. in 1925.

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Funds. | Assets. I £ ! £ Sick and Funeral Funds .. .. .. 2,907,435 Investments at interest .. .. .. 2,884,305 Surplus Appropriation Funds, &c. .. .. 196,038 J Value of land and buildings .. .. 314,224 Management Funds, goods, &c. .. .. 153,867 Cash not bearing interest.. .. .. 90,611 Widow and Orphans'Funds .. .. 24,166 Value of goods .. .. .. .. 20,207 Distress, Benevolent Funds, &c. .. .. 56,177 Other assets .. .. .. .. 20,322 Owing by Management Funds .. .. 8,014 Total.. .. .. .. £3,337,683 Total .. .. ..£3,337,683

Number Number Amount Capital State or Dominion. I Date of Return. of of of per Lodges. Members. Funds. Member. £ £ s. d. New South Wales .. .. .. 30th June, 1925 .. 2,214 226,576 3,042,054 13 8 6 Victoria .. .. .. .. ,, ... 1,470 155,378 4,065,808 26 3 4 New Zealand .. .. .. 31st Deo., „ .. 817 91,353 3,136,237 34 6 7 South Australia .. .. .. „ 1924 .. 643 74,073 1,842,133 24 17 5 Queensland .. .. .. , „ .. 634 61,571 1,297,852 21 1 7 Tasmania .. .. .. .. „ „ 184 24,410 326,515 13 7 6 Western Australia .. .. .. 80th June, 1925 .. 314 21,350 378,753 17 14 10

Members. Wives. Year. Number who died. Risk? Number who died * Risk! ; " 1922 .. .. .. .. .. 649 8-18 296 3'73 1923 .. .. .. .. •• 684 8-29 ! 328 3'98 1924 .. .. .. .. .. 674 8-09 295 3*54 1925 .. .. .. .. .. 648 7-22 328 3'66 1926 .. .. .. .. .. 748 8.02 323 3'46