H.—l.

The following statement shows the disposal of the total funds (including those of the central bodies) as at the 31st December, 1935 : —

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 according to the latest received statistics and in the Dominion of New Zealand as at the 31st December, 1934, arranged in order of membership : —

Sickness. The number of members sick during 1935 was 21,763, equal to 22-8 per 100 members at risk. The sickness experienced during 1935 was 259,811 weeks, equal to 12 weeks per sick member, and 2 weeks 4 days for each member at risk. Mortality. A statement of the average mortality experienced during the years 1931-35 is given below, but it takes no account of age incidence : —

Sick and Funeral Funds. The contributions and entrance fees paid to Sick and Funeral Funds in 1935 amounted to £186,736. Divided by the mean number of members the average for 1935 was £1 16s. 7d., as against £1 16s. 3d. for 1934. The interest and rent received by the lodges and central bodies amounted to £170,117 in 1935, equal to £1 13s. 4d. per member, as against £1 13s. 2d. for 1934. The amount of sickness benefit paid was £160,012 in 1935, equal to £7 7s. Id. per member sick, and £1 lis. 4d. per member, as against £7 os. 3d. and £1 12s. 6d. respectively for 1934. Viewing the amount paid in relation to the weeks of sickness, the average benefit per week is found to be 12s. 4d. in 1935, as against 12s. 7d. for 1934. The funeral benefit paid amounted to £41,245 in 1935, equal to Bs. Id. per member, as compared with Bs. sd. for 1934. The total worth of the Sick and Funeral Funds at the beginning of 1935 was £3,883,557, and at the end of the year £3,993,566. The balance of gain for the year was £110,009, or £1 Is. 6d. per member, in 1935, as compared with £94,023, or 18s. 9d., in 1934. 4

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Funds. J , Assets. £ ! £ Sick and Funeral Funds .. .. .. 3,993,566 I Investments at interest .. .. .. 4,095,632 Surplus Appropriation Funds, &c. .. .. 456,574 Value of land and buildings .. .. 527,842 Management Funds, goods, &e. .. .. 200,905 Cash not bearing interest .. .. 125,872 Widow and Orphans'Funds .. .. 32,791 Value of goods .. .. .. .. 22,962 Distress, Benevolent Funds, &c. .. .. 128,951 Other assets .. .. .. •• 34,423 Owing by Management Funds .. .. 6,056 Total .. .. .. .. £4,812,787 Total .. .. .. .. £4,812,787

Number Number Amount j Capital State or Dominion. Date of Return. of of of per Lodges. Members. Funds. Member. £ £ s. d. New South Wales .. .. .. 30th June, 1934 .. 2,436 205,053 4,363,568 21 5 7 Victoria .. .. .. .. „ „ . • 1,449 162,216 5,599,164 34 10 4 New Zealand .. .. •• 31st Dec., ,, .. 929 100,708 4,676,427 46 8 9 South Australia .. .. •• 30th June, ,, .. 858 91,938 2,6Q0,813 28 5 9 Queensland .. •• •• » 1933 .. 609 65,220 1,784,618 31 9 3 Tasmania 31st Dec., „ .. 190 24,661 443,281 17 19 6 Western Australia .. .. .. 30th June, 1934 .. 341 22,744 548,721 24 2 6

Members. Wives. Number who died. Number who died, M°sk° 1931 .. .. .. •• 874 8-18 372 3-48 1932 .. .. •• 834 8-00 393 3-77 1933 " " .. .. 8,52 8-39 363 3-57 1934 !! .. .. .. .. 935 9-26 326 3-23 1935 .. .. .. .. .. 887 8-64 364 3*55