H.— l

6

Taking the several years 1908-191.7, the number of lodges whose returns were tabulated, the number of members, total funds, and average capital per member at the end of each year were as under : -

These sums are, of course, held against the societies' liabilities under their sickness and funeral insurances, and the actuarial reports issued from time to time indicate how far they are sufficient or otherwise. The above figures include the latest statistics received from lodges. The following statement shows the disposal of the total funds (including those of the central bodies) as on 31st December, 1917 : —

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 and in the Dominion of Now Zealand, according to the latest received statistics, arranged in order of membership : —

Sickness. The number of members sick during 1917 was 9,950, equal to 14-34 per 100 members at risk. The sickness experienced during 1917 was 118,216 weeks, equal to .11 weeks 5 days per sick member, and 1 week 4 days for each member at risk. Mortality. The following statement of average mortality experienced during the years 1913-17 is given herewith, but it takes no account of age incidence : —

Year. Number of Lodges tabulated. i Number of Members. Total Funds. Average Capital. 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 505 567 609 658 664 681 717 728 727 730 58,517 64,428 68,006 71,771 73,243 73,691 74,074 73,027 70,360 68,771 £ 1,1-23,886 1,266,297 1,367,282 1,441,353 1,553,339 1,643,177 1,744,456 1,852,355 1,954,940 2,052,753 £ s. d. 19 4 1 19 13 1 20 2 1 20 1 8 21 4 2 22 6 0 23 11 0 25 7 i 27 15 8 29 17 0

Funds. Assets. Sick and Funeral Funds Surplus Appropriation Funds, &c. .. Management Funds, goods, &c. iVidow and Orphans' Funds Distress, Benevolent Funds, &c. £ .. 1,829, ,531 68,598 102,349 16,090 36,185 Investments at interest .. Value of land and buildings CaBh not bearing interest.. Value of goods Other assets Owing by Management Fund £ .. 1,731,365 205,981 68,746 13,779 29,450 3,432 Total .. .. £2,052,753 Total .. £2,052,753

Date of Return. Number of Lodges. Number of Members. Amount of Funds. Capital per Member. State or Dominion. I New South Wales .. Victoria New Zealand South Australia Queensland Tasmania Western Australia .. .. 31st December, 1916 1916 1916 1916 1916 1916 1915 1,862 1,522 727 591 558 196 291 180,092 157,889 70,360 65,540 51,130 22,404 19,339 £ 1,989,576 2,912,178 1,954,940 1,278,109 849,194 248,430 251,711 £ s. d. 11 0 11 18 8 11 27 15 8 19 10 0 16 12 2 11 1 2 13 0 4

Members. Wives. * Year. Number who died. J SK^ 523 738 506 7-02 767 10-63 977 13-08 1,287 18-55 Number who died. SlKffl .913 .914 .915 .916 .917 158 2-23 238 3-30 240 3-33 232 3-26 260 3-75 The striking ; rise in the average ;e death rates is one indication of th< 3 dei effects of the war on societies.