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1931. NEW ZEALAND.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AND TRADE-UNIONS. FIFTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES, FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1930.

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 Registrae of Feiendly Societies to the Hon. the Ministee. Sir— Wellington, Ist July, 1931. I have the honour to submit the annual report of this Office for the year ended 31st December, 1930, in accordance with the provisions of the Friendly Societies Act, 1909, section 9, and the Tradeunions Act, 1908, section 16. I have, &c, R. Withefokd, Registrar of Friendly Societies.

REPORT, Genebal. Membership of friendly societies increased during the year from 105,154 to 107,167, equal to 1-91 per cent. The total accumulated funds of the societies increased from £3,927,433 to £4,130,117, the average capital per member being now £38 10s. 9d., as compared with £37 7s. at the end of 1929. Net interest credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds during the year totalled £182,156, equal to a rate of £5 9s. 6d. per cent., as compared with £5 14s. lid. per cent, during the previous year. The average contributions and interest per member credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds decreased from £3 12s. 4d. to £3 10s. 10d., and the cost of sickness and funeral benefits from £1 13s. lOd. to £1 13s. 6d. The total gain in these particular funds for the year amounted to £1 9s. lid. per member. The number of members who died was 821, equal to 7-70 per thousand members at risk, as compared with 868 and 8-39 respectively during 1929.

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