H.—l

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The following statement shows the disposal of the total funds (including those of the central bodies) as on 31st December, 1924: —

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 1924 was 13,686, equal to 17-41 per 100 members at risk. The sickness experienced during 1924 was 153,997 weeks, equal to 11 weeks 2 days per sick member, and 2 weeks for each member at risk. Mortality. The following statement of average mortality experienced during the years 1920-24 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 1924 amounted to £155,764. Divided by the mean number of members the average for 1924 was £1 16s. 4d., as compared with £1 15s. lid. in 1923. The interest and rent received by the lodges and central bodies amounted to £138,607 in 1924, equal to £1 12s. 4d. per member, as against £1 lis. Id. for 1923. The amount of sickness benefit paid was £98,360 in 1924, equal to £7 3s. 9d. per member sick, and £1 2s. lid. per member, as against £6 10s. Bd. and £1 ss. Id. respectively for 1923. Viewing the amount paid in relation to the weeks of sickness, the average benefit per week is found to be 12s. 9d. in 1924, as against 13s. 2d. for 1923. The funeral benefit paid amounted to £29,090 in 1924, equal to 6s. 9d. per member, as compared with 7s. 4d. for 1923. The total worth of the Sick and Funeral Funds of 782 lodges at the. beginning of 1924 was £2,445,025, and at the end of the year £2,618,326. The balance of gain for the year was £173,301, or £2 os. sd. per member, in 1924, as compared with £136,870, or £1 13s. 2d., in 1923. Investment of Funds. The net income from investments credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds for 1924 amounted to £138,607, the average rate being £5 12s. 7d. per cent., as against £5 10s. lOd. in 1923.

Funds. Assets. £ £ Sick and Funeral Funds .. .. .. 2,618,326 Investments at interest .. .. .. 2,530,826 Surplus Appropriation Funds, &o. .. .. 135,645 , "Value of land and buildings .. .. 278,949 Management Funds, goods, &a. .. .. 131,387 Gash not bearing interest.. .. .. 89,460 Widow and Orphans'Funds .. .. 21,850 Value of goods .. .. .. .. 18,970 Distress, Benevolent Funds, &c. .. .. 48,132 Other assets .. .. .. .. 28,502 Owing by Management Funds .. .. 8,633 Total.. .. .. ..£2,955,340 Total .. .. ..£2,955,340

Number Number Amount Capital State or Dominion.. i Date of Return. of of of per Lodges. Members. Funds. Member. 1 £ £ s. d. New South Wales .. .. .. 30th June, 1923 .. 2,163 214,766 2,756,361 12 16 8 Victoria .. .. .. .. 31st December, 1922 1,467 146,688 3,549,798 24 4 0 New Zealand .. .. .. „ 1923 774 84,228 2,747,952 32 12 6 South Australia .. .. .. „ 1923 632 72,454 1,749,332 24 2 11 Queensland .. .. .. „ 19-23 531 59,649 1,227,043 20 11 5 Tasmania .. .. .. .. „ 1923 190 24,367 315,367 12 18 10 Western Australia .. .. .. „ 1923 265 19,590 349,928 17 17 3

Members. Wives. Year. Number who died. | Number who died, j ££[2 1920 .. .. .. .. .. 664 9-17 285 3-94 1921 .. .. .. .. .. 615 8-08 261 3'43 1922 .. .. .. .. .. 649 8-18 296 3'73 1923 .. .. .. .. .. 684 8-29 328- 3-98 1924 .. .. .. .. .. 674 8-09 295 3-54