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1927. NEW ZEALAND.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AND TRADE UNIONS. FIFTIETH ANNUAL REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1926.

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 of Friendly Societies to the Hon. the Minister. Sir, — Wellington, Ist July, 1927. I have the honour to submit herewith, in accordance with the Act, the annual report of this Office for the year ended 31st December, 1926. I have, &c., R. WITHEFORD, Registrar of Friendly Societies. General. Mr. William M. Wright vacated the office of Registrar during the year. The membership of friendly societies increased from 91,353 to 94,467, a gain of 3,114, equal to 3-41 per cent. This increase, although slightly less than in each of the three preceding years, indicates the continued popularity of the friendly-society movement in New Zealand. The total accumulated funds of the societies increased by £201,446, from £3,136,237 to £3,337,683, the average capital per member now being £35 6s. Bd., as compared with £34 6s. 7d. for the year 1925. The total net interest earnings of the Sick and Funeral Funds during the year was £159.103. This represents a rate equal to 5-81 per cent., as against 5'75 per cent, for the previous year. The average contributions and interest per member credited to the Sick and Funeral Funds increased from £3 10s. 3d. to £3 lis. 4d., and the cost of sickness and funeral benefits per member at risk from £1 9s. Bd. to £1 12s. 9d., the total increase in these funds representing a net gain of £1 19s. 4d. per member. The mortality-rate increased from 7-22 to B'o2 per thousand members at risk. Registrations. There were registered during the past year thirty-one new branches, as follows : —M.U.1.0.0.F. : St. Heliers Lodge, Netherton Lodge, Maungatapere Lodge, Dargaville Lodge, Kereone Lodge (Auckland District), Bulls Lodge (Wanganui District), Kaia Toa Lodge (Lyttelton District), and Queen of Otago Lodge (Otago District). 1.0.0. F. : Queen Charlotte Lodge, Warepa, Lodge, Tasman Lodge, Levin Lodge, Otaki Lodge, Mount Arthur Lodge, Star of Rangiora Lodge, Waiwhetu Lodge, Hylton Lodge, Rahiri Rebekah Lodge, Waimakariri Lodge, Welcome Rebekah Lodge, Edith Cavell Rebekah Lodge, Vincent Lodge, Kopane Lodge, Loloma Rebekah Lodge, and Brighter Greymouth Lodge. A.O.F. : Court Pride of Kaukapakapa (Auckland District). U.A.O.D. : Kiwi Lodge (Grand Lodge of the North Island of New Zealand) and Pride of Mataura Lodge (Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland, New Zealand). H.A.C.B.S. : St. Columba's Branch (Frankton Junction) and The Good Shepherd Branch (Mt. Eden, Auckland). G.U.0.0.F.: Star of Newtown Branch. There were also five isolated friendly societies registered. The following registrations were cancelled by request: —l.O.O.F. : Pioneer of Motu Lodge and Te Wera Lodge. U.A.O.D. : Alexandra Lodge (Grand Lodge of the North Island of New Zealand). 1.0. R. : Flower of Waianiwa Tent (New Zealand Central District). H.A.C.B.S. : St. Edward's Branch (Kaponga). I.F.S. : Wellington Friendly Societies' Jubilee Orphanage Society. The following society was dissolved by instrument: —A.O.F. : Court Coromandel,

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