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1944 NEW ZEALAND

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AND TRADE-UNIONS SIXTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT BY THE REGISTRAR OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES, FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER, 1943

Presented to both Homes 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 Plon. the Minister Sir,— Wellington, Ist July, 1944. I have the honour to submit the annual report of this Office for the year ended 31st December, 1943, in accordance with the provisions of the Friendly Societies Act, 1909, section 9, and the Tradeunions Act, 1908, section 16. I have, &c, G. E. Bradley, Deputy Registrar of Friendly Societies.

REPORT PART I.—FRIENDLY SOCIETIES Registrations Registrations during the year were as follow--I.E.S. : New Plymouth Waterside Workers' Benefit Society. S.A.S. : Manchester Unity Credit Union, Foresters Credit Union, and 1.0.0. F. Credit and Investment Society. The following registrations were cancelled by request —M.U.1.0.0.F. : Waitakaruru Lodge (Auckland District), Makikihi Lodge (South Canterbury District), and Princess Elizabeth Lodge (Otago District). 1.0.0. F. : Awhina Lodge, Pouatu Lodge, Roscnoath Rebckah Lodge, Wakanui Lodge, Mount Arthur Lodge, and Ngaio Rebekah Lodge. A.O.F. : Court Te Toa (Auckland District), Court Primrose (Wellington District), and Court Pride of the Forest (Juvenile). H.A.C.B.S. : St. Felix's Branch No. 906 (New Zealand District), and Sancta Maria Branch, No. 2 (Northern (N.Z.) District). I.F.S. : Blackball Amalgamated Medical Association. There were 1,083 registrations at 31st December, 1943. Rules Partial amendments of the rules were registered in respect of thirty-nine societies and branches during 1943. Statistics of Membership and Funds The number of members of 922 lodges* at the end of 1943 was 88,007, as compared with 91,522 at 1942. This shows a decrease of 3,515, equal to 3-84 per cent., as compared with 5-42 per cent, for 1942. The total funds of the societies and branches as at 31st December, 1943, amounted to £5,897,959, made up as follows : Sick and Funeral Funds (inclusive of amounts transferred to special funds out of surplus), £5,372,985 ; Medical and Management Funds, goods, &c, £524,974. Dividing the total funds by the number of members at the end of the year it is found the average capital per member is now £67 os. 4d.

* The word " lodge " when applied to all sooieties is to be understood as embracing the synonymous terms " court," " tent," &c, as used in the various orders.