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4

The following statement shows the disposal of the total funds (including those of the central bodies) as on 31st December, 1923 : —

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 New Zealand, according to the latest received statistics, arranged in order of membership : —

Sickness. The number of members sick during 1923 was 15,829, equal to 20-75 per 100 members at risk. The sickness experienced during 1923 was 156,881 weeks, equal to 9 weeks 5 days per sick member, and 2 weeks for each member at risk. Mortality. The following statement of average mortality experienced during the years 1919-23 is given herewith, but it takes no account of age incidence : —

Sick and Funeral Funds. The contributions and entrance fees paid to Sick and Funeral Funds in 1923 amounted to £118,201. Divided by the mean number of members the average for 1923 was £1 15s. lid., as compared with £1 15s. 9d. in 1922. The interest and rent received by the lodges and central bodies amounted to £128,153 in 1923, equal to £1 lis. Id. per member, as against £1 10s. 6d. for 1922. The amount of sickness benefit paid was £103,407 in 1923, equal to £6 10s. Bd. per member sick, and £1 ss. Id. per member, as against £7 Bs. 3d. and £1 3s. lOd. respectively for 1922. Viewing the amount paid in relation to the weeks of sickness, the average benefit per week is found to bo 13s. 2d. in 1923, as against 13s. for 1922. The funeral benefit paid amounted to £30;257 in 1923, equal to 7s. 4d. per member, as compared with 7s. 3d. for 1922. The total worth of the Sick and Funeral Funds of 774 lodges at the beginning of 1923 was £2,308,155, and at the end of the year £2,445,025. The balance of gain for the year was £136,870, or £1 13s. 2d. per member, in 1923, as compared with £144,144, or £1 16s. 4d., in 1922.

Funds. Assets. 3iok and Funeral Funds Surplus Appropriation Funds, &c. .. Management Funds, goods, &e. iVidow and Orphans' Funds Distress, Benovolent Funds, &c. .. £ .. 2,445,025 120,059 118,405 20,747 43,116 Investments at interest .. Value of land and buildings Cash not bearing interest.. Value of goods Other assets Owing by Management Funds £ .. 2,340,300 267,707 81,894 17,738 26,286 8,027 Total .. £2,747,952 Total .. £2,747,952

State or Dominion. Date of Return. Number Number of of Lodges. Members. Amount of Funds. Capital per Member. I Now South Wales .. Victoria New Zealand South Australia Queensland Tasmania Western Australia .. .. 30th June, 1922 .. .. 31st Doeomber, 1922 1922 1919 1922 1922 1922 2,128 209,241 1,407 146,688 746 80,777 593 68,542 596 57,616 192 23,764 272 19,028 £ 2,600,785 3,549,798 2,593,692 1,419,167 1,162,674 303,503 331,154 £ s. d. 12 8 7 24 4 0 32 2 2 20 14 1 20 8 7 12 15 5 17 8 1

Men ibors. Wives. Year. Number who died. Number per 1,000 Members at .Risk. Number who died. KMffi i I - 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 762 664 615 649 684 11-45 9-17 8-08 8'18 8-21 282 4-24 285 3-94 261 3-43 296 3-73 328 3-98