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Session 11. 1918. NEW ZEALAND.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AND TRADE-UNIONS. FORTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1917.

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 op Friendly Societies to the Hon. the Minister. Sir, — Wellington, Ist September, 1918. I have the honour to submit herewith, in accordance with the Act, the annual report of this Office for the year ended 31st December, HI 17. F have, &c, R. E. Hayes, Registrar of Friendly Societies.

National Provident Fund and Finance Act, 1916. The system of benefits established in co-operation with the National Provident Fund has been in operation for the first year. It was hardly to be anticipated that the annuity tables could, in the present war conditions relating to new entrants, lie extensively promoted by the societies. The appreciation of the liberality of the tables, however, is clearly evidenced in some societies, a fact which indicates that the delay in taking up the benefit more generally is not due to any demerit of the scheme, itself. The administration of the maternity side of the system has been satisfactorily established, and the policy and methods of the National Provident Fund Board in dealing with these claims have given satisfaction to the societies. Reinsurance op Death Benefits Fund. The operations of the above fund, established by the Department to secure friendly societies from abnormal war mortality risks, show for its first year a fairly favourable experience. The premium rate fixed by the Board has so far proved adequate, but with the uncertainty that is inseparable from war experience no reduction in rates would be advisable or safe. For the year ended 31st March, 1918, the total premiums paid and due from societies were £14,305, to which is to be added the pound-for-pound subsidy of the State, making a total revenue in the fund of £28,6.10. During the same period claims paid and credited amounted to £20,165. As there were risks still outstanding this sum does not represent the full liability for the year, but the figures quoted indicate fairly safe margin. Soldier Members' Contributions. The question of soldier members' contributions, which in many societies may be regarded as an accumulated deficiency, is now reaching a serious stage, the ability of members to maintain the extra levies required to make these contributions good, having in many societies been exhausted.

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