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DOCUMENTS
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DOCUMENTS
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COMMONWEALTH

BUREAU OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS
MELBOURNE.

INQUIRY

INTO

THE COST OF LIVING

IN AUSTRALIA,

1910-11.

G. H. KNIBBS, CMC.,

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY, ETC.
COMMONWEALTH STATISTICIAN.

PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF

THE HONOURABLE KING O'MALLEY, M.P.,

MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS.

By authority : McCarron, Bird & Co.. Printers, 479 Collins Street, Melbourne.

CC.8., No. 138.]

COMMONWEALTH

BUREAU OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS
MELBOURNE.

INQUIRY

INTO

THE COST OF LIVING

IN AUSTRALIA,

1910-

G. H. KNIBBS, C.M.G.,

FELLOW OF THE ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY, ETC.,
COMMONWEALTH STATISTICIAN

PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF

THE HONOURABLE KING O'MALLEY, M.P.,

MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS.

DECEMBER, 1911.

By authority : McCarron, Bird & Co., Printers, 479 Collins Street, Melbourne.

EC. 8., No. 138. j

'?;

. r

SYNOPSIS.

i. Introduction

1. Nature of Inquiry

2. Distribution of Budget Books

2. The Householder's Budget

1. Family Conditions 4

2. Weekly Statements ... 5

3. Tabulation and Classification ... 6

(i.) Geographical Distribution... 6
(ii.) Size and Structure of

Families 7

(iii.) Incomes 7

3. Family Conditions

1. General ... 7

2. Geographical Distribution ... ... 7

3. Structure of Families 8

(i.) General Membership 8

(ii.) Average Number of Members

in Sex and Age Groups ... 9

(iii.) Condition as to Children ... 9
(iv.) Dependents, Boarders, and

Servants 10

4. Occupations of Heads of Families... 10

4. Incomes

1. Sources of Incomes

2. Average Incomes

5. Expenditure

1. Relation to Income

2. General Analysis of Expenditure ...

3. Comparison with Other Countries

4. Housing Accommodation

5. Expenditure on Food

(i.) Average Weekly Expenditure

per Family

(iL) Average Weekly Expenditure

per Head

(iii.) Average Weekly Expenditure
per Head according to Sex
and Age Groups

6. Expenditure on Clothing

7. Expenditure on Other Items

8. Conclusion

INQUIRY INTO THE COST OF LIVING IN AUSTRALIA,

i. Introduction.

1. Nature of Inquiry. In view of the desirability of obtaining reliable and compre-
hensive information in regard to the cost of living in Australia, a special inquiry was
undertaken by the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics, covering the period
from the 1st July, 1910, to the 30th June, 1911. The requisite data upon which the
results of this inquiry are based were obtained by distributing among householders
throughout the Commonwealth, copies of a small account book in which provision was
made for entering, for each week of the period referred to, particulars of income and
expenditure under certain specified headings.

After a careful examination of the methods adopted and procedure followed in
similar inquiries in other countries, and so soon as the necessary books and instructions
had been drafted and printed, notices were inserted in the daily press throughout the
Commonwealth directing attention to the projected inquiry, its scope and purpose ; com-
munications were also addressed to the Trades and Labour Councils in the several States,
seeking their co-operation and assistance in the distribution of the weekly account books.
In consequence of the press notices a large number of requests was received for books to
be forwarded, while several of the Trades and Labour Councils expressed their willing-
ness to distribute the books among their members.

2. Distribution of Budget Books. The distribution of the books was effected in
June, 1910, the total number despatched from the Bureau being approximately 1500 ;
of that number only 222 were returned after the end of June, 1911, filled in either in
part or in whole for the period of 52 weeks under review. It was found necessary to
reject 10 books as unsuitable for various reasons, such as incompleteness or obvious
inaccuracy, so that the contents of 212 books were available as a basis for the compilation
of the information furnished herein. Nearly all these appear to have been kept with
considerable care, and the thanks of the Bureau are due to those who have taken so much
trouble to assist in the investigation.

It is a matter for regret that so small a proportion (about 14 per cent.) of the books
distributed was returned, though it must be admitted that the labour entailed in keep-
ing the desired records for the whole period is somewhat heavy. In future investigations
of this kind it is probable that the period dealt with will be considerably curtailed with a
view to increasing the number of budgets available for analysis.

It may be observed that the distribution of the books was not in any way restricted,
either in regard to the nature of the occupation of the head of the family or to income
received. It was hoped that the number and nature of the returns would be such as would
enable the results to be presented both for various classes of occupations and for different
ranges of income. As will be seen later, however, owing to the small number of budgets
available, it was considered desirable to present the results without any classification of
occupations, and with only a very limited classification as to amount of income. Inas-
much as the families for which budgets were obtained were distributed over the six States,
and the proportion in each State corresponds fairly closely to its population and importance

THE HOUSEHOLDER'S BUDGET.

in an ij)d\i$ttiai ,%etise, and cwing to the fact that the families are not restricted with
reference to any particular industry, it is believed that the results of the inquiry are
fairly representative of the conditions existing among the majority of the community.
While individual budgets may not be absolutely accurate, it can safely be assumed that
averages based on any considerable number of statements represent the true facts with
substantial accuracy. In any instances where the averages are based upon a small
number of families they should of course be accepted with due caution, for though the
family statements may be accurate, the averages may not include a sufficiently large
number to fairly represent the class to which they refer.

In this connection it should be observed that the value of any inquiry as to cost of
living based upon the voluntary keeping of budgets by householders is to some extent
limited by the fact that such budgets are more likely to be kept by the frugal and thrifty
than the liberal and generous. The consequence is that the results deduced from these
budgets other things being equal tend to be on the low, rather than the high, side.

$ 2. The Householder's Budget.

1. Family Conditions. The weekly account books issued to householders contained
in all 56 pages, 4 in. by 6^ in. in size, bound in flexible board covers. On the inside of
the front cover attention was drawn to the facts (a) that the book was the property of,
and when complete should be returned to, the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and
Statistics; (b) that the information furnished would be treated as strictly confidential;
and (c) that the name of the person furnishing the budget need not be specified in the
book where any objection was felt to so doing. The first page of the book was devoted
to the purpose of ascertaining particulars of locality and of family conditions, and was in
the following form :

WEEKLY STATEMENTS

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE,

1910 - 11
(Examples enclosed herewith.)

State

Town or nearest Post Town

Number and Ages of Children living at home :

Number and Ayes of Children not living at home who are a charge on the
family :

*Occupation of Husband

Occupations (if any) of Wife

Occupations (if any) of Children

C.4852.

* State occupation very fully, as " Carpenter, Jam Factory ;" "Labourer,
Sawmill;" "Engine-driver, Gas Works," &c.

THE HOUSEHOLDER'S BUDGET. 5

The object of the first two lines as to locality was to permit of a classification of the
results according to geographical distribution ; this has only been carried out according
to distribution in the several States. The information as to number and ages of children
was required for classification purposes as to size and structure of family, while that
relating to occupation was intended for the purpose of analysing the variation in the
relative income and expenditure of persons engaged in different occupations and
employed in different groups of allied industries. Owing to the paucity in the number
of budgets returned, it was not, however, found possible to carry into effect the latter
intention, while as regards size and structure of family the only classification made
was that relating to families having over four members and those having four or less.

2. Weekly Statements. The remaining pages of the book were provided for the
householder to fill in week by week particulars of the weekly income and expenditure of
his or her family. Each page was in the following form :

WEEK ENDING ...

INCOME.

From Earnings of Husband
Earnings of Wife ...
,, Earnings of Children
,, Other Receipts

TOTAL

EXPENDITURE.

Rent* or

Instalments for House

Food Bread

Meat

Vegetables and Fruit

Milk

Butter, Cheese, &c.

Sugar ...

Tea, Coffee, &c. ...

Other Food

Other Groceries not Food
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic Beverages
Tobacco, Cigars, Cigarettes
Clothing, Drapery, Boots, <fec.
Fuel and Light

Fares Railway, Tram, 'Bus, &c.
Insurance Fh-e, Life, &c.

Contributions to Benefit Societies

&c.

Education Fees, School Materials, &c.

Medical Attendance and Medicine...

Rates and Taxes

Sport and Amusements ...

Other Expenditure

TOTAL

* Or Interest on Mortgage.

Each book despatched was accompanied by a copy of the following documents:

(i.) Addressed Envelope. A post-free addressed envelope was transmitted for the
return of the book when completed.

(ii.) Specimens. Specimens of the first page of the book (see p. 4 hereinbefore),
and of a weekly return of income and expenditure, each filled in with a
supposititious example, were included for the guidance of the householder.

(iii.) Instruction*. Printed instructions explaining briefly the object and scope of
the inquiry and the manner in which the returns were to be filled in, were
sent in the following form :

THE HOUSEHOLDER'S BUDGET.

INSTRUCTIONS.

1. The object of the whole inquiry is to obtain important sociological
statistics, viz., some indication of the cost and standard of living in the
various Australian States.

2. It is desired that the record should extend from 1st July, 1910, to
30th June, 1911, inclusive, so as to obtain fair averages as well as changes
in the cost of living in the different months of the year.

3. The book supplied is so drafted as to suit all grades of income, and
it is desired to receive records from persons haying widely different incomes.
The income shewn must be that actually received by the head of the house-
hold, and must, therefore, include income earned by any other members
of the household.

4. It is necessary that the record should be a correct statement of the
true total income and expenditure of each week of the period, and that the
grouping under each item in the book supplied should also be correct. For
this reason the book should be made up week by week.

5. The expenditure shewn should be inclusive of that for dependents
living away from home.

6. Where circumstances prevent the book from being completed for
the whole period, it should, nevertheless, be returned to this Bureau.

7. The examples given will shew the method to be followed.

8. It may be pointed out that in a statistical office all matter received
is confidential ; all officers have to make a declaration of secrecy, and
individual returns will under no circumstances be disclosed. Nevertheless,
if in view of the character of this inquiry any objection be felt to giving
the name, no mention of it need be made on the book.

9. If desired, a report as to the results will be sent on application to
any person assisting in the furtherance of this inquiry.

G. H. KNIBBS,

Commonwealth Statistician.

Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics,
Melbourne, 1910.

In addition to the directions contained in the above document, instructions as to
filling in the returns were published in the daily press, and any person who desired to be
advised on any doubtful point had only to write to the Bureau, when he would be fur-
nished with an immediate reply.

3. Tabulation and Classification. In order to facilitate the analysis and classifica-
tion of the householders' budgets, the contents of each book were transferred to a
tabulation sheet, the various details summarised, and a weekly average for each item
computed. The next question considered was that of classifying the results in relation
to the following matters: (i.) Geographical distribution, (ii.) size and structure of
family, (iii.) income, and (iv.) occupations of wage earners. In regard to the last of
these matters, it was found that the number of returns was insufficient to enable any
classification to be made.

(i.) Geographical Distribution. The following table shews the distribution of
families, from which budgets were received, according to States. It was considered
that the small number of budgets available for each State, except New South Wales
and Victoria, did not justify the presentation of separate results. In the later tables the
figures have, therefore, generally been grouped together for the whole Commonwealth.
It was hoped, with a sufficient number of returns, to differentiate as to local distribu-
tion with greater particularity, as for example in regard to incomes and expenditure of
families living in (a) metropolitan towns, (6) country towns, (c) mining districts, and
(d) rural districts.

The distribution of the families in the several States is as follows :

COST, OF LIVING, 1910-1 1. DISTRIBUTION OF FAMILIES IN SEVERAL STATES.

Particulars.

N.S.W.

Victoria.

Qsland. S.A.

W.A.

Tas.

Cwlth.

Number of families ...

19 i "

212

FAMILY CONDITIONS. 7

(ii.) Size and Structure of Families. It was found that the families for which
budgets were received were divided roughly into two equal groups in regard to size of
family, 107 families having over four members, and 105 four and under. It was there-
fore decided to adopt these groups as the basis for classification. As regards structure
of family, it was originally intended to tabulate special results for normal families of
different sizes: i.e., for families having normal members consisting of father, mother,
and children within specified age groups ; owing to the small number of returns received
it was, however, found impracticable to carry out this scheme. The classification
adopted relates to actual size of families, the structure of the family (i.e., whether com-
posed of father, mother, children, dependents, or relatives), being necessarily disregarded.

(iii.) Income. The classification as to incomes was adopted after a careful consider-
ation of the facts. In order to make a distinction between the large class of wage-
earners who earn under 3 a week, and those persons who earn more than that amount,
it was at first intended to adopt a classification according to incomes of over about 150,
and those amounting to about 150 and under ; it was found, however, that taking 150
as the limit, the former class embraced 168 families, and the latter only 44. Further,
on an examination of the books it appaared that a large number of families depends for
their support on means other than the actual wages earned by the head of the household,
the other main sources of income being earnings of children, boarders, and interest -on
investments. It was therefore considered desirable to somewhat increase the limit, and
it was found that a fairly even distribution was obtained by making the division at 200,
there being 113 families whose incomes were over that amount and 99 under. The
following statement shews the number of families in each division of the scheme of
classification adopted :

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. NUMBER OF FAMILIES, CLASSIFICATION BY INCOMES

AND SIZE OF FAMILIES.

Particulars.

Number of Families having

Incomes over 200 per annum.

Incomes of 200 and under p. annum.

Over 4 Members.

4 Members or under.

Over 4 Members.

4 Members or under.

Number of families

3. Family Conditions.

1. General. In order to permit of any adequate analysis or criticism of the figures
relating to income and expenditure presented in this report, it appears desirable that the
returns as to family conditions should be first investigated. It is proposed to deal with
these matters from the following standpoints, viz. : (a) Geographical distribution of
families ; (6) Structure and size of families ; and (c) Occupations of heads of .families.

2. Geographical Distribution. Though the budgets received were not sufficiently
numerous to permit of any classification of incomes according to families living in the
metropolitan towns and in other parts of the several States, the urban and rural distri-
bution of the families to which the returns refer is of importance.

FAMILY CONDITIONS.

For the purpose of classification in the following table, the suburbs have been
included with the metropolitan towns, and in Western Australia, Fremantle has also
been included with Perth. The families in each State are classified according to income
and size of family :

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. CLASSIFICATION OF FAMILIES RESIDING IN METRO-
POLITAN TOWNS AND IN OTHER PARTS OF EACH STATE.

Number of Families residing in

8 -

Total.

Families having

Number of

N.S.W.

Vic.

Qld.

S.A.

W.A.

Tas.

H S2

H o

S 2

Over 200

Over 4

4 and under

9 41

200 and under ...

Over 4

4 and under

30 64

Total

138

i
74 212

It may be seen that the majority of the returns received were from families residing
in metropolitan towns, 138, or 65.1 per cent., being from such towns and 74, or 34.9 per
cent., from other districts.

3. Structure of Families, The following tables have been compiled in order to
bring together the more important returns obtained as to membership of families, classified
according to income and size of family.

(i.) Getieral Membership. The total number of members of the families for which
returns were received was 999, including all persons who generally participated perman-
ently in the family expenditure, but excluding temporary guests or visitors. Some of
the families were without the husband, .who was either dead or separated from his
family, and similarly in the case of the wife. The following table shews the component
members of the families classified according to income and size of family :

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. MEMBERSHIP OF FAMILIES COMPRISED IN RETURNS.

Families having

Number of

03
,'

a
o>
<O

Incomes of

Members.

'$.

o 2
& S

ffl

Over 200 ...

Over 4

No.

No.
56

No.

237

No.
5

No.
10

No.

No.
390

4 and under...

142

200 and under

Over 4

173

277

4 and under. . .

...

190

Total

212

202

205

522

999

From the above table it may be seen that 10 of the families (4.7 per cent.) were
without a husband, and that 7 (3.3 per cent.) were without a wife. Over 66 per cent, of
the families keeping servants were restricted to the class having incomes of over 200

FAMILY CONDITIONS.

and comprising over 4 members. Of 202 husbands, 189 were at work during the whole
or the greater part of the period under review, while the remaining 13 were of indepen-
dent means or were invalids.

(ii.) Average Number of Members in Sex and Age Groups. The table in the
preceding paragraph shews the gross number of members of the families under con-
sideration, taking no account of the number of persons which were a charge upon the
expenditure during the whole period under review. In the next table this is taken into
consideration, and the length of time for which any person (stated to have been either
temporarily absent from his home or living temporarily at the home) was a charge upon
the family expenditure has been computed. Thus, for example, if a boarder or a servant
was stated to have resided with the family for only 9 months of the period under review,
such a person is taken into account as having been a charge upon the expenditure for
three-quarters of the year only, and is therefore assigned the value of 0.75. For the
purpose of computing in a later part of this report the average expenditure, weighted
according to sex and age, the number of members has been tabulated in the several age
and sex groups indicated.

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. AVERAGE NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO WERE A CHARGE
ON EXPENDITURE DURING WHOLE PERIOD.

Males.

Females.

Children.

Families
having
Incomes of

Number of
Members.

Numbe
Faniili

Total.

Over 17.

13-16.

Over 17.

13-16.

10-12.

6-9.

2-5.

Under
2.

Over 200

Over 4

98.2

18.4

120.4

21.5

39.0

34.0

36.0

17.9

385.4

4 and under

51.4

2.0

58.1

1.0

3.0

7.0

10.0

8.2

140.7

200 and under

Over 4

58.3

6.0

70.5

5.4

20.0

32.0

59.0

24.7

275.9

4 and under

64.8

3.5

67.2

4.5

3.0

4.0

23.0

20.1

190.1

Total

212

272.7

29.9

316.2

32.4

65.0

77.0

128.0

70.9

992.1

(iii.) Condition as to Children. Out of the 212 families investigated 180 included
children. The subjoined table shews the average number of children in each group,
together with the number of children earning wages and those not earning wages (i.e.,
either at home or at school or college) classified in age groups.

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. CONDITION OF FAMILIES AS TO CHILDREN.

.8-2
II

.iL

Children
at Work.

Children at Home or at School.

tCr< >>

Families having
Incomes of

Number of
Members.

Avera
Childrei
Farnil

Over

17.

13-16

Over

17.

13-16

10-12

6-9

2-5

Over 200

Over 4

237

4.23

4 or under

1.56

200 and under ...

Over 4

173

3.53

4 or under ...

1.44

' 2

Total

180

522

2.90

128

It may be seen from the above table that a somewhat unduly large number of the
children in the families investigated were comprised in the lower age-groups, those of the
age of 5 years and under numbering 207, or nearly 40 per cent, of the whole number.
This somewhat high percentage indicates that a considerable number of the persons
rendering returns had. not been married for a long period; and, indeed, it is only natural
to assume that such persons are the more likely to be interested in an inquiry of this

FAMILY CONDITIONS.

nature. As might be expected, the great majority of children in the higher age-groups
who were not wage-earners is confined to the class having the larger incomes. The total
number of children at work was 88, or 16.8 per cent., and of those at home or at school
was 434, or 83.2 per cent., on the total number of children.

(iv.) Dependents, Boarders, and Servants. The following table shews the number
of persons who may be considered as outside the family circle, but whose cost of living is
included in the family expenditure, either as dependents (other than wives and
children), boarders, or servants. Families having dependents, boarders, or servants
during any part or the whole of the period under review are included in this table :

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. CONDITION OF FAMILIES AS DEPENDENTS,
BOARDERS, AND SERVANTS.

Dependents

Boarders.

Servants.

P.c. of Families having

Families
having
Incomes of

Number of
Members.

>tal Famil

amilies
having
pendents.

imber of
pendents.

amilies
aaving
oarders.

imber of
oarders.

Ill

3rvants.

" P

fc pq

ffi

I*. OQ

Over 200

Over 4

6.89

12.07

36.20

4 and under ...

12.19

19.51

200 and under

Over 4

2 -

4.08

6.12

4.08

4 and under ...

3.13

Total

212

5.19

7.07

15.09

4. Occupations of Heads of Families. In order to give some idea of the class of
persons to whom the returns refer, the following table shewing the occupations of the
heads of families has been compiled : (a) Unskilled labour includes such persons as
general labourers, railway gangers, etc. ; (6) Skilled labourers, artisans and tradesmen,
such as fitters,, carpenters, electrical workers, etc. ; (d) Agricultural includes farmers,
dairymen, gardeners, and orchardists ; (e) Commercial, those engaged in trade, such as
chemists, tobacconists, storekeepers, efcc. ; (/) Clerical, book-keepers and clerks ; (g)
Professional, clergymen, doctors, school teachers, etc.; and (h) No occupation comprises
persons retired from business, families with no husband, and heads of families who failed
to state their occupations :

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. OCCUPATIONS OF HEADS OF FAMILIES.

Occupation of Head of Family.

Families having
Incomes of

Number
of Members.

Un-
skilled
Labour

Skilled
Labour

Agric'l-
tural.

Com-
mercial

Cleric' 1

Profes-
sional.

None.

Total.

Over 200

Over 4

4 and under

200 and under

Over 4

4 and under

Total

212

It may be seen that what is commonly known as the wage-earning class (skilled and
unskilled labour) comprises 73 families, or 34.4 per cent.; clerical and commercial
together include 61 families, or 28.8 per cent. ; and professional 42, or nearly 20 per-
cent.

INCOMES.

4. Incomes.

1. Sources of Incomes. The sources of the family incomes are shewn in the sub-
joined table, classified according to amount of income and size of family. The third
column shews the number of families having incomes from the husband only. The
fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh columns comprise families having incomes from more
than one source. " Miscellaneous" comprises incomes from boarders, investments, etc.
The figures given in these columns are not mutually exclusive ; that is to say that, for
example, a family having an income from both husband and wife is included in both
the fourth and fifth columns, while a family having an income derived from wife,
children and boarders is included in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh columns. It
may be seen that a larger proportion of the small families than the large families derive
their incomes from the husband only.

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. SOURCES OF INCOMES.

las

Families having Incomes from
more than one source.

si.

"o
!*

Families having
Weekly Incomes
of

Number of
Members.

ill

[usband
id
ources.

Wife
id
eurces.

I i

I I
s*

allies wi
}s of Inc
>t stated

Numbe
amilies.

a .

n's

fl 5

I s *

1 1

I 1

No.

Over 200

Over 4...

4 and under

200 and under ...

Over 4...

4 and under

Total

125

106

212

2. Average Incomes. The following table shews the average weekly income for
each of the groups specified, and also the general average for all families for which
budgets were received :

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. AVERAGE INCOMES OF FAMILIES.

Particulars.

Incomes of over 200.

Incomes of 200 & under.

General
Average.

Families
of over 4
Members.

Families of
4 and under.

Families
of over 4
Members.

Families of
4 and under.

Average weekly income

s. d.
6 7 11

s. d.
6 16 4

s. d.
3 .1 11

s. d.
2 18 5

s. d.
4 13 1

The figures given in the above table are subject to certain limitations, inasmuch as
in a few cases the total earnings of children were not included in the returns, the
amounts specified comprising only the weekly payments made into the housekeeping
fund for board and lodging. In a few other cases the amount of actual income was not
specified at all, the sums drawn from a bank account for current expenses being given.
It is somewhat remarkable that in the higher income class the average incomes of
f milies of over 4 members (6 7s. lid.) is less than that of families of 4 and under
6 16s. 4d.) Although the number of returns is insufficient for secure deductions,
this result appears to indicate that the class of persons with larger income have
relatively small families.

EXPENDITURE.

5. Expenditure.

1. Relation to Income. The average weekly incomes of the 212 families are sum-
marised in the table hereunder. It should be noted that the figures relating to income
are subject to the limitations pointed out in the preceding paragraph of this report. The
differences between these weekly averages, representing the surplus available for saving
are also shewn.

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. RELATION OF INCOME TO EXPENDITURE.

Particulars.

Families having Incomes
of over 200.

Families having Incomes
of 200 and under.

General
Average for
all Families.

Over 4
Members.

4 Members
and under.

Over 4
Members.

4 Members
and under.

Income ...
Expenditure

Difference

s. d.
6 7 11
5 12 4

s. d.
6 16 4
5 2 5J

s. d.
3 1 11
2 15 7

s. d.
2 18 5
2 13 Of

s. d.
4 13 1
3 19 5

15 62

1 13 lOf ! 6 4

5 42

13 8

Just as the table on page 11 indicated that, in the higher income group, the smallei
families had relatively larger incomes, so the above table points to the fact that, as
might be expected, the surplus, after payment of cost of living, is considerably
greater in small than in large families. The weekly averages specified in the lasi
line of this table represent annual amounts of 40 9s. 3d., 88 2s. 7d., 16 9s. 4d., li
18s. 5d., and 35 10s. 8d. respectively. This advantage in economic res9urces whicl
characterises the small family is probably generally true.

2. General Analysis of Expenditure. Selecting what may be considered as th(
four most important heads of expenditure, viz., housing, food, clothing, and fuel anc
light, and grouping all other expenditure under the heading " Other Items," an analysis
of the average weekly expenditure per family is given in the following table. The results
are shewn both as actual averages and as percentages on the total expenditure. Th<
individual items included in each group may be readily understood by reference to th(
list given on page 5.

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. ANALYSIS OF AVERAGE WEEKLY EXPENDITURE

PER FAMILY.

Families
having
Incomes of

Number
of Members.

Housing.

Food.

Clothing.

Fuel
and Light.

Other
Items.

Total Ex-
penditure

Over 200
200 and under

Over 4
4 and under
Over 4
4 and under

s. d.
13 3i
14 2
080!
8 8i

s. d.
1 11 101
1 2 6i
1 2 3i
16 8

s. d.
14 82
12 5i
074
066

! s. d.
3 3f
038
2 4k
020

s. d.
2 9 1*
2 9 7i
15 6i
19 2J

s. d.
5 12 4t
5 2 5t
2 15 7
2 13 Of

General Average

10 10*

1 3 3i

10 It | 029

1 12 5

3 19 5

PERCENTAGE ON TOTAL EXPENDITURE.

Over 200
200 and under

Over 4
4 and under
Over 4
4 and under

per cent. ! per cent.
11.84 28.39
13.83 22.00
14.48 40.12
16.41 31.41

per cent.
13.11
12.16
13.22
12.25

per cent.
2.95
3.58
4.26
3.77

per cent.
43.71
48.43
27.92
36.16

per cent.
100
100
100
100

General 1

Average

13.70 29.30

12.72

3.46

40.82

100

EXPENDITURE. 13

It may be seen that, disregarding the expenditure on other items, the cost of food is
by far the most important consideration, amounting to over 29 per cent, of the total
expenditure. Next comes housing (13.70 per cent.), followed closely by clothing (12.72
per cent.), while expenditure on fuel and light amounts to 3.46 per cent. As regards
expenditure on housing, clothing, and fuel and light, the divergencies in the percentages
for the several groups, classed according to income and size of family, are not very
marked, whereas the percentage expended on food ranges from 22 to over 40, being
naturally higher in the larger family groups. The expenditure on food is again relatively
much larger in the smaller income group, indicating that economies in expenditure are
primarily effected in regard to matters other than food. It is not unlikely, indeed, that
expenditure on food alone furnishes a true indication of the standard of material well-
being.* The more limited the resources of the individual, the less must his consumption
be, and the coarser the quality of his food.t In Germany anthropometrical measure-
ments have resulted in shewing that the typical man of the poorer classes, by reason of
the nutritive inferiority of his food, is neither so corpulent nor so heavy as the typical
man of other classes.

In connection with the preceding table it is interesting to compare the results
obtained in Australia with those obtained in the United States of America in regard -to
the economic law propounded by Doctor Engel, for many years Chief of the Royal
Bureau of Statistics of Prussia. Dr. Engel's propositions were as follow :

(i.) That the greater the income the smaller the percentage of outlay for subsistence.
This is confirmed in Australia, Germany, and the United States.

(ii.) That the percentage of outlay for clothing is approximately the same, whatever
the income.

This proposition is confirmed in Australia, but in Germany and the United States
it is not so, as in these countries the percentage of expenditure on clothing increases as
the size of the income increases.

(iii.) That the percentage for lodging or rent, and for fuel and lighting, is invariably
the same, whatever the income.

The first part of this proposition is not confirmed in Australia, as the families _with
smaller incomes pay a larger percentage in housing than those with larger incomes. The
second part is practically confirmed here.

In the United States the first part is confirmed, and the expenditure for lighting
varies little, but the percentage of expenditure for fuel decreases as the income increases.
In Germany neither parts of the proposition are confirmed, the percentages decreasing
as the incomes increase.

(iv. i That as the income increases in amount the percentage of outlay for sundries
becomes greater. This is confirmed in Australia, Germany, and the United States.

3. Comparison with other Countries. Any direct comparison of the results of
inquiries as to the cost of living in Australia and other countries is practically impossible,
owing mainly to two things, viz., (a) that the inquiries have not generally been con-
ducted on similar lines ; and (b), that budgets have not been obtained either for corre-
sponding classes of persons or for similar income groups. Any adequate comparison of
cost of living in different countries requires the dissection out of the general result of the
folio wing things, viz., (i.) standard of living; (ii.) prices; (iii.) rates of wages ; (iv.) social
classifications ; and (v. ) general economic conditions.

Of those countries for which information is available the results for the United
States of America and for Germany can be presented in a form similar to that shewn in
the table in paragraph 2 hereof (see p. 12). But even in these cases direct comparisons
are impracticable, for in America the inquiry was limited to working-class families,

* See Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Vol. LI., p. 161. tit does not of course follow
that the nutritive value is less.

EXPENDITURE.

while in Germany the average incomes are much lower than in either Australia or th<
United States. A comparison of the general percentage distribution of expenditure ii
these countries is shewn in the table hereunder. In order to make the figures mor<
fully comparable, family groups have been selected for the United States and Germany
with incomes approximately the same as the general average for Australia.

COST OF LIVING. COMPARISON OF GENERAL DISTRIBUTION OF EXPENDITURE
IN AUSTRALIA, UNITED STATES, AND GERMANY.

Percentage on Total Expenditure of Cost of

Particulars.

Housing.

Food.

Fuel
and Light.

Clothing.

Other Ex-
penditure.

Australia

13.70

29.30

3.46

12.72

40.82

100.00

United States* ...

17.40

36.45

5.03

15.72

25.40

100.00

Germany "f

14.90

30.31

3.12

14.91

36.76

100.00

Inquiry made in 1902. t Inquiry made in 1907.

It may be seen that the greatest variation occurs in the percentage expended o
food, and this is largely due to the facts previously mentioned, namely, that in th
United States families with high incomes were expressly excluded, while in Germany th
average income is low, whereas the budgets for Australia include all classes, and income
are thus relatively high.

As regards expenditure on food in relation to income, comparisons can be mad
with the United Kingdom, France, and Belgium, in addition to the United Stat<
and Germany, special inquiries having been made into the cost of living in thes
countries by the British Board of Trade during the years 1907 to 1910. In tt
inquiries instituted in all the countries specified, except Australia, the budgei
relate only to working-class families. For Australia figures are therefore given, not on]
regarding general results obtained for all groups, but also for the special group bavin
incomes of 200 and under, and families of over 4 members, since it is considered thj
the families included in that group are more closely analogous to the class of famili<
for which investigations were made in the other countries specified. The groups (
working-men's families earning the highest rates of wages have been selected for thes
other countries in order that the results may approximate as closely as possible to th
conditions present in the Australian inquiry.

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. EXPENDITURE ON FOOD IN AUSTRALIA COMPARE
WITH THAT IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

Country.

1
Average
Weekly In-
come per
Family.

Average
Number of
Members
per Family.

Average
Weekly Ex-
penditure
on Food.

Percentage
of Expendi-
mre on Food
on Average
Income.

Weekly
Cost of
Food
per Head

S. d.

No.

s. d.

per cent.

s. d.

Australia -, j.

4 13 1
3 1 11

4.71-
5.6

1 3 3J
1 2 S|

25.0
36.0

4 11J
4 0|

United States

306

6.0 1 12 6

53.7

5 5

United Kingdom ...

2 12 Ofc

6.4 198

57.0

4 7J

Germany ...

2 8 8i

5.8 1 7 4

54.4

4 8

France

2 12 11

4.9 1 11 7|

59.7

6 If

Belgium ...

2 12 1J

5.9 j 1 9 8i

56.9

4 9i

* All Groups, t Groups having incomes of 200 and under and families of more than 4 rnembei

EXPENDITURE.

It may be seen, therefore, that in regard to the first set of figures given for Australia
(relating to all groups) the weekly cost of food per head is higher than in all the other
countries except the United States and France, while the percentage of expenditure on
food- is less than in any other country. In regard, however, to the special group selected,
which is considered to approximate more closely to the groups included in the returns
for other countries, the cost per head is considerably less than in any other country, as
also is the percentage of expenditure on food.

Having dealt with the general distribution of expenditure, it will now be desirable
to refer in greater detail to some of the more important items specified in the budgets.

4. Housing Accommodation. The following table gives particulars of the number
of families (a) owning houses unencumbered by mortgage ; (6) living rent free, i.e.,
having houses or quarters either in lieu of, or in addition to, salary or wages ; (c) owning
houses, but paying interest on mortgages thereon ; and (d), leasing houses on rent. The
absolute numbers are shewn in addition to the percentages in each class.

COST OF LIVING, 1919-11. PARTICULARS OF FAMILIES OWNING, LEASING

HOUSES, ETC.

Families having
Incomes of

Number
of Members.

Owning
Houses.

Living
BentFree.

Paying In-
terest on
Mortgages

Paying In-
stalments
on
Purchase.

Paying
Rent.

Total
Families.

NUMBER OF FAMILIES.

No.

Over 200

Over 4

4 and under

-200 and under

Over 4

4 and under

Total

109

212

PERCENTAGE OF FAMILIES.

per cent.

Over 200

Over 4

20.69

6.89

10.35

13.79

48.28

100

4 and under

19.51

4.88

14.63

12.20

48.78

100

200 and under

Over 4

10.21

8.16

14.18

59.19

100

4 and under

14.07

4.69

7.81

24.43

50.00

100

Total

16.04

6.13

9.91

16.51

51.41

100

It may be seen from the above figures that slightly over one-half (51.41 per cent.) of
the total number of families lease their houses on rent, and that the proportion of
families leasing houses is greater in the lower than in the higher nicome group. The
percentage of families buying bouses by instalments is 24.43 in the group having incomes
of 200 and under and families of 4 and under, and is considerably higher in that group
than in any other. The figures shew, not unexpectedly, that a greater proportion of
families in the higher income group than in the lower own their houses.

The average weekly amount spent on housing accommodation by way of interest,
instalments on purchase, and rent is shewn in the table hereunder. The last column
shews the average weekly percentage of expenditure on housing accommodation on total
expenditure for those families which have an expenditure on this item ; that is to say,
that in computing the percentages, the expenditures of the 47 families which either own
their houses or live rent free are excluded.

If,

EXPENDITURE.

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11, EXPENDITURE PER FAMILY ON HOUSING
ACCOMMODATION.

Average Amount Spent

< uo ,

rt O

Weekly on

^-S'SSc

Families having

Number of

Number
of

'-? s s
a o'- 3

Incomes of

Members.

Families.

Interest.

Instal-
ments.

Rent.

a^sS-fl

s. d.

per cent.

Over 200 ...

Over 4...

4 6f

14 6

17 3|

16.10

4 and under

7 5i

13 6|

18 4

17.58

200 and under

Over 4 ...

2 2}

9 10

9 3

17.50

4 and under

2 10

10 2J

10 3i

20.22

General Average

165

4 7

11 9

13 3|

17.58

It is significant that in both income groups the smaller families pay not only a
higher rent than the larger families, but also disburse a greater percentage of their
expenditure on housing accommodation. This points to the fact that the smaller
families are able to live in greater comfort than the larger.

Owing to the comparatively small number of budgets received, it is not possible to
make any general analysis of the average amounts paid for housing accommodation
according to geographical distribution of the families. The figures shew, however, that
the 25 families living in Sydney paid an average weekly rent of 17s. 10d., or 18.4 per
cent, on the total expenditure of their families, while in Melbourne 29 families paid an
average weekly rent of 14s. 10d., or 18.5 per cent, on their total expenditure. The
number of budgets from other individual places is not sufficient to warrant the presenta-
tion of any averages based thereon.

5. Expenditure on Food. The data obtained from the budgets as to expenditure on
food form one of the most important features of the inquiry. It is proposed to present
the results from the following standpoints, viz. : (i.) Average weekly expenditure per
family ; (ii.) average weekly expenditure per head (unweighted) ; and (iii.) average
weekly expenditure per head (weighted) according to sex and age groups.

(i.) Average Weekly Expenditure per Family on Food. The table given here-
under shews the average weekly expenditure per family on each item of food specified
in the householder's budget, classified according to income group and size of family.

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. AVERAGE WEEKLY EXPENDITURE PER FAMILY ON
VARIOUS ITEMS OF FOOD.

03 -+3

Families having
Incomes of

Number of
Membres.

|| 6

3 n 03

I'll

S3 o

OEn

s. d.

Over 200

Over 4
4 and under...

3 2
1 lOi

4 4*
3 5

3 5|

4 2

1 lOi
l 04

1 2
10

6 74
4 9

1 11 10i
1 2 64

200 and under ...

Over 4
4 and under...

2 8i
1 8

4 11
3 9i

2 8*

2 2

2 74

III

l 0*

10|
8|

4 4
3 3i

1 2 34
16 8

' General Average

2 4J

5 2J

3 14

2 8

2 114

1 44

10|

4 8|

1 3 3i

It may be seen that the most important item of expenditure in Australia is that on
meat, which is followed in the order named by expenditure on other food : vegetables
and fruit, butter, cheese, etc.. milk, bread, sugar, and tea, coffee, etc. That order is

EXPENDITURE.

not, however, invariably maintained in the individual groups. As might be anticipated,
the expenditure on food is greater in the higher income class and in the larger family
groups. A comparison of expenditure on food in Australia with that in other countries
has already been given on p. 14 hereof.

(ii.) Average Weekly Expenditure per Head on Various Items of Food. The next
table furnishes particulars of expenditure per head, irrespective of sex and age, on each
item of food. In computing the number of persons who were a charge upon the family
expenditures temporary absence from home has been taken into account (see p. 9 herein-
before) .

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. AVERAGE WEEKLY EXPENDITURE ON FOOD PER HEAD.

Expenditure per Head on

*.2

3* 00

OjjJS

Families
having
Incomes of

Number
of Members.

Numb*
of Famil

E
fc-8

Average >
ber of He
per Fam

egetables
nd Fruit.

1
cc

O ^

Ofe

p> e3

s. d.

d '

s. d.

Over 200

Over 4

385.4

6.65

1 Of

4 9

4 and under

140.7

3.43

1 6

1 4*

6 6J

200 and under

Over 4
4 and under

49
64

275.9
190.1

5.63
2.97

lOi
1 31

5
8f

3
4

2
3

91
1 11

3 114
5 71

General Average

212

992.1

4.68

1 1

8ft

4 10j

It may be seen that in each of the income groups the smaller families spend a
greater amount on food per head than the larger families. This is no doubt partly due
to the fact that in the larger families greater economies can be effected in regard to
waste, but it also indicates that the smaller families, as previously pointed out, live in a
greater degree of comfort than the larger families. The expenditure per head on the
various items specified is in the same order as the expenditure per family.

(iii.) Average Weekly Expenditure per Head on Food, according to Sex and
Age Groups. The figures given in the table in the preceding paragraph relating to cost
per head of various items of food do not differentiate either between sex or age groups.
On page 9 hereof particulars have already been given specifying the average number of
members of families classified according to sex and age groups. By weighting each
class, in the manner indicated hereunder, according to the cost of food consumed, an
average weekly cost can be computed for each class. Earlier investigations have shewn
that the average consumption of an adult male and an adult female differ, so also, of
course, does the average consumption at different ages. Hence in analysing the results
we should weight each class according to its consumption so determined. Then in the
manner indicated hereunder the average weekly cost can be computed for each class on
a common basis. (See footnote for method.) 1

1. Let Ni, N 2 , Ns, ...... etc. represent, in any income and family group, the average number of

heads in each sex and age class. Let also w iy w 2 , w 3 , ...... etc., denote the corresponding weights

representing the relative consumption of each sex and age class. Then if S be the total weekly sum
expended on food for a whole group, we shall have

_ S _ _ ^. gav
Niw>i + N 2 w 2 + N 3 u> 3 + etc.
k being then the average cost of food per unit-weight, this unit being arbitrarily taken to measure w.

Let Ci, C 2 , C 3) ...... etc., denote the average weekly cost per head in each class with the corre-

sponding suffixes, then

the square brackets denoting the sum of all the products of the numbers into the weight as above.
Similarly C 2 , C 3 , etc. = fcw 2 , kw 3 , etc. These values kw, etc., denote then the average weekly
expenditure per head for the several classes denoted by the suffixes.

EXPENDITURE.

The weights applied to each sex and age group were selected after a careful stud
had been made of reports and other available information bearing on the matter, hot
from a physiological, economic and anthropometric standpoint. The weights selecte
for each class were as follow :

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. EXPENDITURE ON FOOD, WEIGHTS ASSIGNED TO

EACH CLASS.

Particulars.

Males.

Females.

Children.

Age in years ...

Over 17.

13-16.

Over 17.

13-16.

10-12.

6-9.

2-5.

Under 2

Weight

100

The average number of persons in each sex and age class in the various grouj
classified according to income and size of family have already been given in the table o
page 9. The total weekly expenditure on food for each group was 92 9s. 7d. , 46 3s. lOd
54 lls. lid., and 53 6s. 7d., while the total weekly expenditure for all groups wa
246 lls. lid. Proceeding on the lines indicated, see formula in preceding footnot<
the results are shewn for each class in each group in the following table :

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. AVERAGE WEEKLY EXPENDITURE PER HEAD ON
FOOD FOR EACH SEX AT DIFFERENT AGES. 1

Males.

Females.

Children.

Families having

Number

Incomes of

of Members.

Over 17.

13-16.

Over 17.

13-16.

10-12.

6-9.

2-5.

Unde

s. d.

s. d

Over 200

Over 4
4 and under ...

6 61
8 3|

5 2f

6 7*

5 23
6 7$

4 6f
5 10

4 2f
5 4|

3 3}
4 I*

2 31
2 lOf

1 3

1 8

200 and under

Over 4

6 21

4 Hi

4 lli

4 4

4 Or

3 H

2 2

1 22

4 and under ...

7 61

6 Of

6 02

5 3}

4 11

3 9k

2 7|

1 6

General Average

6 11

5 6|

5 6J

4 10

4 6

3 5*

2 5

1 4i

1 These are the values of kw in the formula deduced as shewn.

It may be seen that instead of the general average cost previously obtained for a,
classes, amounting to 4s. 10d., the average cost in the special sex and age classes range;
from Is. 4d., in the case of a child under two years of age, to 6s. lid. for an adul
man. From the figures given in the above table the average cost of food can, of course
be computed for any given family. Applying the results shewn in the table to variou
families selected at random from the householders' returns, it is found that the diver
gencies between the cost of food thus estimated and the average cost obtained from th
weekly budgets are generally small. This indicates that the weights which have beei
assigned are substantially in accordance with the facts. Thus, for a family in Ne\
South Wales, consisting of father, mother, and five children, aged 11, 8, 5, 4 and 1 year
and having an income of over 200 a year, the estimated weekly cost of food, accordin:
to the results given in the preceding table, is 25s. Id., whereas the actual average com
puted from- the weekly budgets is 23s. lOd. Again, in the case of a family of elevei
persons, also with an income of over 200, the estimated cost is 41s. l^d., as against ai
actual cost of 42s. 5d.; and for a family of seven persons in Western Australia, wit!
an income under 200 a year, the estimated cost is 27s., as against an actual averagi
of 30s. lOd.-

It is not practicable to obtain similar results for sex and age classes in regard t<
expenditure on items other than food, owing to the difficulty in computing any satis

EXPENDITURE.

factory system of weights accurately denoting the extent to which the various items are
used or consumed by persons in the various classes.

6. Expenditure on Clothing. In the family budgets there was included a number
of persons, such as boarders, servants, and adult children, whose clothing was not paid
for out of the common fund. In order, therefore, to obtain particulars of the average
cost per head these persons must- be excluded. The third column in the table hereunder
shews the average number of persons whose expenditure on clothing was included in the
returns, due allowance having been made for temporary absence from home. The
succeeding columns shew the average weekly and the corresponding annual expenditure
for the different income and family groups.

COST OF LIVING, 1910-11. AVERAGE WEEKLY AND ANNUAL EXPENDITURE
PER HEAD ON CLOTHING.

Numbers of Members.

Number
of Heads.

Expenditure on Clothing.

Families having Incomes of

Per Week.

Per Year.

Over 200 ...
200 and under

Over 4
4 and under
Over 4 ... - ...
4 and under

328.3
118.9
253.7
184.1

s. d.
2 4
4 3i
1 5
2 3

S, s. d.
6 11
10 4 10
3 13 8
5 17 5

General Average

885.0

2 5

662

7. Expenditure on Other Items. The table hereunder shews the average weekly
expenditure per family on items other than housing, food, clothing, and fuel and light,
each of which, with the exception of the last, has been dealt with separately. Expendi-
ture on fuel and light does not permit of further analysis. The percentage of each item
on the total expenditure is also shewn.

COST OF

LIVING, 1910-11. AVERAGE WEEKLY EXPENDITURE PER FAMILY
ON OTHER ITEMS.

11 I.-

1 .

n m > O

2 43

Families
having
Incomes
of

i gi3 ' 2

Number g o foS
Members. ?* *? 5

||l||l

Alcoholi
Beverage

Tobacco
Cigars, et

to
a

Contributioi
Benefit Socie

Education
(School Mate

Medical
Expense

Rates and Tt

1 Sports an
Amusemei

Other
Expenditu

AVERAGE WEEKLY EXPENDITURE.

s. d.

R, d.

s. d.!s. d.

R. d.

s. d.

R. d.

s. d.

Over -200

Over 4 ...;-2 9*

4 7 6 91

1 2

2 9

3 91

2 1*

22 4

2 9 14

200 and under

4 and under 2 24

Over 4 ... 1 10J

31
14

1 03
31

61
5*

3 -2ii4 10
1 41 81

1 3?
1 Of

1 7
4

2 8|
6|

26 41

5 8|

2 9 71
15 6l

4 and under 1 84

1 9i

i ioi

1 0*

1 51

1 1

8 34

19 21

General Average ...2 Ij

2 84

3 9

1 li

1 3

2 51

1 6|

i li

15 04

1 12 5

PERCENTAGE ON TOTAL EXPENDITURE.

% | %

Over 200

Over 4

2.4ri

0.22 0.67

0.41

4.08

6.02

1.04

2.45

3.35

1.89

1.24

19.88

43.71

4 and under

91.15

0.27 1.04

0.51

3.13

4.72

1.24

1 .55

3.01

2.66

2.40

25.75

48.43

200 and under

Over 4

3 33

0.221 0.49

08fi

9,40

3.04

1 91

O.fiO

9,.9fi

1.01

0.79

10.31

27.92

4 and under

3.21

0.27 0.70

1.02

3.33

3.57

2.00

0.62

2.70

2.04

1.02

15.68

36.16

General Average

2.67

0.26 0.74

0.63

3.41 4.72

1.41

1.57

3.09

1.97

1.41

18.94

40.82

20 EXPENDITURE.

It may be seen that, disregarding " other expenditure," the most important item
in the above table is expenditure on insurance, which is followed in the order named by
fares, medical expenses, other groceries not food, rates and taxes, education and school
materials, contributions to benefit societies and sports and amusements (equal) , alcoholic
beverages, tobacco, cigars, etc., and non-alcoholic beverages.

In view of the probability, previously referred to, that the budgets include a con-,
siderable proportion of returns from householders whose habits are of a thrifty and
economical nature, and who habitually exercise a careful supervision over their expendi-
ture, it appears likely that the average amounts specified as being expended on various
items especially on those which are of the nature of luxuries are somewhat too low
to be representative of the general community. This view is also borne out by an
examination of the individual budgets. Thus, in regard to alcoholic beverages, it
appears that no less than 88 out of the 212 families were teetotallers. Of the balance
42 families spent on this item an average amount of less than 3d. per family per week,
while there are only 15 families entered as spending over 2s. each a week. Of the last
number nine exceeded 3s. each per week, and three exceeded 5s. a week. On non-
alcoholic beverages the average weekly expenditure per family is only 2jd., while the
average expenditure on sports and amusements is also very low, viz., Is. l^d. per week,

21 families returning no expenditure under this heading. Expenditure on tobacco is
also small, the weekly average per family being 6d. There are only 81 families with a
weekly expenditure in excess of that sum, while 103 families returned no expenditure 011
this item. The relatively high expenditure on insurance and contributions to benefit
societies, amounting together to 6.13 per cent, on the total expenditure, indicates thrift
and economy. "Other expenditure" includes a considerable variety of miscellaneous
items, such as servants' wages, furniture, repairs and maintenance of property, holiday
expenses, and any other outlay not specifically mentioned under any other heading. The
percentage on total expenditure ranges from 10.31 for larger families in the smaller
income group to 25.15 for small families with larger incomes.

8. Conclusion. It is to be regretted that in an inquiry of such importance, and so
closely touching the interests of the majority of the community, the response of the
public in furnishing budgets of income and expenditure has been so limited. In a
similar inquiry carried out in the United States of America in 1902, data were obtained
as to cost of living for one year from 25,440 families, representing 124,108 persons.
Many interesting investigations and important analysis could thus be carried out. Again
in Germany, in 1907, schedules were distributed to 4134 families, of which 960, or 23.2
per cent., filled in the particulars for the full period of twelve months, while 699
families, or 16.9 per cent., persevered for from six to eleven months. The results of the
inquiry in Australia compare very unfavourably with those in the countries mentioned,
only 178, or 9.4 per cent., on the total number distributed (1500), having persevered for
the full period of twelve months, and 20 families, or 1.1 per cent., for from six to eleven
months. The result in those countries where the people respond willingly to inquiries
of this nature is that a better knowledge of sociological and economic sonditions is
acquired, and the possibility of directing national development on scientific lines is
enhanced. In the United States and Germany especially, it appears that the masses of
the community are beginning to realise that, in so far as sociological knowledge can con-
tribute to national success, that people have the position of advantage whose investi-
gators discover the largest body of scientific truth, and whose practical men are the
most prompt in the application of it in social organisation. A movement has recently
been set on foot for an inquiry into the cost of living on an international basis. If
such an inquiry be carried out in all its bearings the results should go far towards
elucidating several important matters in regard to which the information at present
available is meagre and unsatisfactory.

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