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1937. NEW ZEALAND.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AND TRADE-UNIONS SIXTIETH ANNUAL REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1936.

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, 1937. I hav -i the honour to submit the annual report of this Office for the year ended 31st December, 1936, in accordance with the provisions of the Friendly Societies Act, 1909,"section 9, and the Tradeunions Act, 1908, section 16. I have, &c, R. Sinel, Registrar of Friendly Societies.

REPORT.

As mentioned in last year's report, Mr. C. Gostelow, F.1.A., assumed the position of Registrar in addition to his duties of Government Actuary. In September Mr. Gostelow relinquished his connection with the Department to take up an appointment under the New South Wales Government. Since that date the actuarial duties under the Act have been carried out by Mr. S. Beckingsale, F.1.A., Actuary to the Government Insurance Department. It is proper for me to point out here that under this arrangement it is not possible to deal expeditiously with the large volume of actuarial work requiring attention. PART I.—FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. General. The membership of friendly societies increased during the year from 103,612 to 108,059, a gain of 4,447, equal to 4-29 per cent. This represents the largest increase in any one year since 1929, while the total membership now shown is the highest in the history of the friendly-society movement in New Zealand, a reflex of the generally improved tone in the community over this period. The total accumulated funds of societies increased from £4,812,787 to £4,956,948, the average capital per meriber being now £45 17s. 5d., as compared with £46 9s. at the end of 1935. The reduction in the average capital per member is entirely due to the comparatively large increase in membership mentioned above. Net interest credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds during the year amounted to £181,279, equal to a rate of £4 11s. sd. per cent., as compared with £4 Bs. 3d. per cent, during the previous year. The average contributions and interest per member credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds increased from £3 9s. lid. to £3 11s. 5d., while the cost of sickness and funeral benefits decreased from £1 19s. sd. to £119s. 2d. The total net gain in these particular funds for the year amounted to £1 3s. 2d. per member. The number of members who died was 951, equal to 8-95 per thousand members at risk, as compared with 887 and 8-64 respectively during 1935. Registrations. There wen. registered during the past year eleven new branches, as follows —M.U.1.0.0.F. : Loyal Wellsford Lod:;e (Auckland District) ; Loyal Patea Lodge (Taranaki District). 1.0.0. F. : Beaver Rebekah Lodge. A.O.F. : Court Matamata and Court Robin Hood (Auckland District) ; Court Otaki (Wellington District). H.A.C.B.S. : St. Joseph's Branch (Te Aroha), St. John of the Cross Branch (Whakatane), i.nd St. Michael's Branch (Rotorua), (Northern (N.Z.) District) ; St. Thomas's Branch (Rakaia) and Sacred Heart Branch (Kaikoura) (New Zealand District). There were also three isolated friendly sooietic s—The Wellington District Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows Hospital Association, Tl e Inangahua Valley Medical Association, and Wharerata Medical Association. The following registrations were cancelled by request —M.U.1.0.0.F. : The Loyal Kaiapoi Lodge (Juvenile Friei dly Society). 1.0.0. F.: Queen Charlotte Lodge. A.O.F. : Court Ormond and Court Viking (Hawke's Bay District). G.U.0.0.F. : Miramar Branch.

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