7

H.—l

Valuations were made of the following societies : M.U.1.0.0.F., Ashburton District and Ashley District; P.A.F.S.A., Grand Council of New Zealand ; Ofcago Railway Employees' Benefit Society. Summarised results of the valuations are given in two tables A and B (Appendix V.). In this connection it may be stated that the valuation of several other societies is in hand, but cannot be completed for want of the necessary particulars in respect of a few branches. This has caused great inconvenience. The following 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 Australasian States and in the Colony of New Zealand, according to the latest received statistics, arranged in order of membership : —

Other Societies on Register. In Table VII. some details are given of such isolated societies, working-men's clubs, and specially authorised societies on the Register as supplied returns in a form that could be utilised. Of isolated societies, returns were received from seventeen, with a membership of 2,401, and assets valued at £7,419. Fifteen working-men's clubs also sent in returns ; the membership is given as 5,837, and the assets as £32,062. Of specially authorised societies, such as dispensaries, money clubs, bands, &c, the membership is given as 2,945, and the value of the assets as £60,411. Tbade-unions. It will be seen by Appendix 111. that there are but sixteen trade-unions still registered under "The Trade Union Act, 1878," and some of these are, so far as " The Trade Union Act, 1878," is concerned, practically defunct, as the members are merged into the various combinations registered under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act. This falling-off in numbers is due to some extent to the following : There has always been a disinclination on the part of tradeunionists registered under the Act of 1878 to render annual statements of receipts and expenditure, and of the number of members of these organizations, even though the particulars were not published. The objections have, however, been in some degree overcome, as under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act a Parliamentary Paper showing the number of members of each industrial union is published annually. There were no transactions under the Act during 1904. Geo. Leslie, Wellington, 27th June, 1905. Registrar of Friendly Societies and Trade-unions.

State or Colony. Date of Return. Number Mumber of of Lodges. Members. | Amount of Funds. Capital per Member. Victoria New South Wales New Zealand South Australia Queensland Tasmania Western Australia .. ! 31st December, 1903 .. 1902 .. .. j , 1903 .. .. ! , 1899 .. 1903 .. 1902 .. 1903 .. 1,155 990 465 474 388 171 199 101,717 96,671 45,255 43,043 31,913 15,456 12,522 ! £ 1,475,403 802,609 883,751 535,198 314,711 115,945 71,022 £ s. d. 14 10 1 8 6 1 19 10 7 12 8 8 9 17 3 7 10 0 5 13 6 -