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Title: Report on the Cost of Living in Ireland, June 1922

Author: Ireland. Ministry of Economic Affairs

Release date: October 8, 2011 [eBook #37666]

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Brian Foley, Barbara Kosker and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK REPORT ON THE COST OF LIVING IN IRELAND, JUNE 1922 *** 














 FOR OFFICIAL USE.


 Rialtas Sealadach na héireann.


MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS.
















REPORT


ON THE


COST OF LIVING


IN


IRELAND


JUNE, 1922.
















DUBLIN:

PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATIONERY OFFICE.




To be purchased through any Bookseller or directly from

EASON & SON, Ltd., 40 and 41 Lower Sackville Street, Dublin.

1922.



Price One Shilling.














PREFACE.





It having been represented to the Provisional Government that it was
desirable to calculate an official figure indicating in respect of
Ireland the change in the cost of living at the present time as compared
with the cost of living in 1914, the Provisional Government appointed
for the purpose on 10th June, 1922, a Committee comprising
representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture, Finance, Economic
Affairs and Labour. The Committee reported on the 4th August, 1922, and
the result of its enquiries, together with the Committee's detailed
explanation of the procedure adopted, are appended hereto.


The conclusions set out in the report represent the closest
approximation which is practicable to the average increases in the cost
of maintaining, in particular months of the current year as compared
with July, 1914, the same standard of living for a family dependent on
wage earnings in places with 500 or more inhabitants. The inquiry
applied to the whole of Ireland, and its basis is therefore broad enough
to be reasonably dependable for any practical purpose to which a
calculation as to changes in the cost of living can usefully be applied.


It is proposed to arrange for the calculation at intervals of three
months of a cost of living figure on the same basis as that adopted by
the Committee for the purpose of this report. September will be the next
month for which a figure will be determined.


It is to be observed that the information collected in the course of
this inquiry has incidentally revealed relations between the wholesale
and the retail prices of several important commodities and between the
prices of the same commodity in similar localities which require
explanation. This matter is being further examined with a view to
determining whether any undue advantage is being taken of the general
body of consumers, and, if that be the case, to the adoption of
appropriate remedies.






Ministry of Economic Affairs,

        23rd August, 1922.











[Pg 3]










THE COST OF LIVING


IN


IRELAND.










REPORT


To the Chairman, Provisional Government, Ireland.


By minute dated the 10th June last we were appointed by the Government
to determine the cost of living in Ireland for the months of March and
June, 1922, as compared with the cost of living in July, 1914, on such a
basis as would show the average increase in the cost of maintaining the
same standard of living for a family dependent on wage earnings. We were
asked to complete our calculations not later than July 15th, if
possible, but owing to the fact that a considerable proportion of our
staff were unable to reach our offices during the recent troubles in
Dublin we were given until the 25th to complete our work. The following
letter was sent to the Head of the Government on the 26th July:—


"A Chara,—The Report of the Cost of Living Committee is not yet
finally drafted, but the main lines of it have been agreed upon. We
think, therefore, that we ought to acquaint you at once that our
investigations show that the percentage increase in the Cost of
Living of Wage Earning Classes in Ireland between July, 1914, and
June, 1922, is 85.2 per cent. and the increase between July, 1914
and March, 1922, is 91.4 per cent.


"Sinne, le meas mor,"


[Pg 4]The following Report, while bringing out the points essential to a
purely Irish cost of living inquiry, can hardly be regarded as
exhaustive, in view of the mass of figures collected which could be
examined from many different points of view. Had we been able to spend a
longer time in digesting these figures we should not have arrived at any
different final result as regards the Irish cost of living figure; but
we think that many interesting and important facts might be brought out
by a further analysis of the figures which we have not had time to
undertake, and we suggest, therefore, that the Government should request
the Ministry of Economic Affairs to investigate more thoroughly, from
the point of view of their general economic significance, the figures
collected and compiled.





Method of Compiling Cost of Living Figures.


In every country in which cost of living figures have been obtained the
same method, as far as broad lines are concerned, has been followed. The
method adopted is to ascertain the average retail prices for a number of
representative commodities for the dates to be compared and then to
combine these retail prices in a single figure representing the change
in retail prices as a whole. This combination is not effected by a plain
average, but the individual price changes are "weighted" according to a
comparison of the amounts spent on each of the commodities concerned
(e.g., a change in the price of a commodity such as bread, must
obviously be given more "weight" than a change in the price of such
commodities as cheese or soap) and in order to determine the proper
"weight" to attach to the retail price changes, representative family
budgets are obtained showing the details of the actual expenditure of a
large number of households. By combining these budgets it is possible to
discover the relationship between the consumption of the various items;
for instance, 12s. may be spent on meat for every 5s. 6d. spent on
butter, and so on. The retail price changes can then be "weighted"
according to the results given by the budgets and the final figure
arrived at by combining them on these lines.





Stages of our Inquiry.


Our inquiry can, therefore, be divided into four main stages:


(A) The collection of retail prices for July, 1914, and March and
June, 1922.


(B) The collection and analysis of representative family budgets
by means of which to determine the "weighting" of the retail price
changes.


(C) The combination of the retail price changes by means of the
"weights" so obtained into one final figure.


(D) The results of applying different methods of "weighting."





[Pg 5](A) Collection of Retail Prices.


We found that as regards articles of food much of the information we
required had already been collected by the Ministry of Economic Affairs
who had obtained returns for July, 1914, and March, 1922, from 420
sources in towns of 500 persons and upwards; and also that retail prices
of a certain number of articles of food had been collected in 1914, in
Ireland by the Labour Statistics Branch of the Board of Trade.


Our first task was, therefore, to collect returns of the retail prices
in June, 1922, of all the commodities selected, and of the corresponding
prices in July, 1914, and March, 1922, where these were not already at
our disposal.


Forms were accordingly drawn up on which this information could be
collected and specimens of these forms are shown in the Appendix to the
Report.





(1) Food, Clothing, Fuel and Light, and Sundries.


These forms for food, clothing, fuel and light and sundries, were sent
out for completion through the channels used by the Ministry for
Economic Affairs in its inquiry (viz.:—officials of the Post Office, of
the Ministry of Labour, and of the Local Government Board, and in the
Six-County area through other sources), and to the same towns as in that
inquiry (viz.:—towns with populations of 500 and over). In the case of
the larger towns more than one report was asked for, graduating from two
returns to twenty returns according to their population as shown in the
Census of 1911.


The following table summarises essential particulars regarding the
forms:—










Form.
Number of Forms dealt with.
Number of Towns from which received.
Returns collected by




Prices (Food)
A
450
250
Post Office, Ministry of Labour, and Local Government
    Board Officials.




Prices (Food, Fuel and Light and Sundries)
B 2
436
220
    Ditto




Prices (Meat)
B 3
434
227
    Ditto




Prices (Clothing)
B 4
436
216
    Ditto




Rents
B 5
  91
  71
Rate Collectors and Town Clerks.










[Pg 6](2) Rents.—The forms for rents were issued through the Local
Government Board, and in the Six-County area through other sources, and
filled in for the most part by Rate Collectors in the several districts
and towns in Ireland. They were asked to state the rents in July, 1914,
and in March, and June, 1922, of about 20 houses in their districts
showing the number of rooms and the Poor Law Valuation, the latter
figures enabling us to ensure that the same classes of houses of wage
earners were being compared. Enquiry was also made in connection with
the rents of tenements, and due allowance was made for this in the final
figures. The rent figures include rates in every case.


(3) Compilation of prices for individual commodities.—The next step
was to calculate from these returns the average retail prices of the
individual commodities selected, and this was done as follows:—


One set of average retail prices was compiled from the returns of the
Post Office officials, and another from those of the other officials,
and a division of the forms was made on this basis.


The retail prices of food, etc. (on Forms A, B2 and B3), and of clothing
(Form B4) were then separately summarised in the two groups, viz.—those
received from the Post Office officials and those received from the
officials of the other Departments for July, 1914, and March and June,
1922.


(4) Compilation of Rent Returns.


The rent returns were treated in precisely the same manner, except that
there was no division, since the returns were received through the Local
Government Board only.


On pages 7 and 8 is the list of average retail prices so compiled:—


(5) List of Prices.[Pg 7]


The following Table shews Retail Prices in Irish Towns of 500
inhabitants and upwards; as averaged from Returns collected by officers
of the Post Office, Ministry of Labour and Local Government Board.







 
 
Mid
 July, 1914.		
Mid March, 1922.
Mid
 June, 1922.		




 
 
P.O.
M.L. and L.G.
P.O.
M.L. and L.G.
P.O.
M.L. and L.G.




FOOD.
per
d.
d.
d.
d.
d.
d.




Beef
lb.
  8.0
  7.8
13.5
13.4
13.4
13.2




Mutton
lb.
  8.6
  8.3
16.0
15.5
16.0
15.5




Pork Chops
lb.
  8.9
  9.2
17.5
17.7
20.1
20.0




Pork Sausages
lb.
  8.7
  8.6
16.8
16.4
16.3
16.1




Bacon
lb.
  9.2
  9.5
19.7
17.9
20.7
19.0




Butter, Irish Creamery
lb.
13.9
12.8
23.9
22.3
23.2
22.6




Butter, Irish Farmers
lb.
12.6
10.6
24.4
20.0
19.9
18.9




Cheese
lb.
  9.8
  9.8
17.8
17.0
17.4
16.8




Margarine
lb.
  7.6
  7.7
11.7
12.1
11.8
11.2




Margarine, 2nd grade
lb.
  6.2
  6.1
  9.1
  9.6
  8.8
  8.4




Lard
lb.
  7.1
  7.3
13.6
11.5
12.0
11.6




Milk, Fresh
quart
  2.5
  2.6
  6.8
  6.4
  5.4
  4.9




Condensed Milk, Irish
lb.
  6.8
  5.6
13.1
12.8
11.9
11.6




Condensed Milk, Imported
lb. tin
  7.2
  6.2
13.8
13.4
12.8
11.8




Eggs, 1st grade
dozen
  9.6
11.2
19.5
19.2
19.0
17.3




Bread
2 lb. loaf
  3.2
  3.0
  5.8
  5.6
  5.6
  5.6




Flour, household
14 lb.
19.8
22.1
36.6
33.3
35.7
35.8




Oatmeal
14 lb.
21.1
23.7
38.1
41.6
41.1
41.3




Rice
lb.
  2.8
  2.7
  5.8
  5.6
  5.5
  5.4




Potatoes, old
14 lb.
  5.5
  7.3
12.8
13.7
16.6
16.5




Tea, Best
lb.
30.3
30.5
44.2
45.4
42.6
42.7




Tea, Cheapest
lb.
18.1
18.3
31.4
29.1
27.1
26.4




Sugar, white granulated
lb.
  2.2
  2.1
  5.9
  5.8
  5.9
  6.0




Jam
lb.
  6.6
  6.7
16.2
16.3
15.4
15.5




CLOTHING.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Women's.
 
s. d.
s. d.
s. d.
s. d.
s. d.
s. d.




Light Coats
 
  8 10
25   7 
53   0
47   0
51   8
46   0




Heavy Coats
 
30 10
31   7
58   2
57 11
56   5
56   4




Costumes
 
44   2
41   7
79   9
77 11
77   7
76   4




Blouses
 
  5   3
  4   8
10   3
  9   5
  9   9
  9   1




Skirts
 
  8   1
  5 10
14   7
11   2
13   7
10 10




Stockings
 
  1   4
  1   5
  3   0
  2   9
  2   9
  2   8




Combinations
 
  5   8
  5   0
11   1
10   0
10   8
9   9




Corsets
 
  4   2
  3   8
  8   2
  6 10
  7 10
  6   8




Underskirts
 
  4   1
  3   2
  7   8
  5 10
  7   4
  5   9




Chemises
 
  2   5
  2   5
  4 10
  4   6
  4   9
  4   4




Boots
 
11   2
  8   7
22   9
16   0
21 11
15   9




Girls (over 6).[Pg 8]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Coats
 
14   1
11   8
25   9
21   0
25   1
20   9




Dresses
 
13 11
  9   7
27   3
17   7
26   3
17   3




Stockings
 
  1   4
  1   2
  2   8
  2   2
  2   5
  2   1




Combinations
 
  4   5
  3 10
  8   0
  6   9
  7   9
  6   8




Stays
 
  2   9
  2   5 
  5 10
  4   9
  5   6
  4   8




Petticoats
 
  2   7
  2   2
  4 11
  4   1
  4   8
  4   0




Chemises
 
  2   1
  1 11
  3   9
  3   3
  3   7
  3   2




Boots
 
  8   4
  7   9
16   6
14   2
15 10
14   0




Men's.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Overcoats (Readymade)
 
34   3
33   7
69   1
64   3
66   5
63   4




Overcoats (Tailormade)
 
53   6
48 10
100 11  
93   3
98  7 
91   8




Suits (Readymade)
 
31   5
35   0
67   9
70   0
66   2
68   6




Suits (Tailormade)
 
58 10
54   5
119   6  
113 10  
116   4  
112   7  




Trousers (Readymade)
 
  8   6
  8   1
17   0
15   5
16   6
15   0




Trousers (Tailormade)
 
15   7
13   9
32   2
29   8
31   7
29   0




Singlets
 
  3   6
  2   8
  7   5
  5   2
  7   0
  5   0




Drawers
 
  3   9
  2 10
  7   7
  5   3
  7   2  
  5   2




Shirts
 
  3   8
  3   1
  7   2
  6   5
  6 11
  6   4




Socks
 
  1   2
  1   2
  2   5
  2   3
  2   3
  2   2




Boots
 
12   5
11 11
24   6
23   3
23   9
22   9




Boys (over 6).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Overcoats
 
16   8
14 11
33   1
29   0
32   1
27   9




Suits
 
15   9
15   7
31   7
31   1
30   5
30   0




Shirts
 
  2   1
  2   0
  4   2
  3   9
  3 11
  3   8




Stockings
 
  1   3
  1   4
  2   6
  2   7
  2   3
  2   6




Boots
 
  8   9
  7   8
16   9
13 11
16   0
13   6




OTHER COMMODITIES.
 
 
 
 
 
 




Coal
112 lb.
17.4
17.1
38.9
37.0
37.2
35.0




Turf
112 lb.
13.7
11.1
29.9
26.2
30.1
25.1




Gas for Lighting
1,000 c. ft
50.6
51.5
101.9  
98.9
101.0  
98.2




Gas for Cooking
1,000 c. ft
49.1
48.7
101.7  
97.1
101.1  
96.6




Electricity for Lighting
unit
  5.3
  5.3
10.4
  9.7
10.3
  9.4




Electricity for Cooking
unit
  3.0
  2.4
  5.7
  5.0
  5.7
  5.0




Candles
lb.
  3.5
  3.8
  7.1
  6.8
  6.5
  6.3




Paraffin Oil
gallon
  8.3
  8.9
20.4
19.9
19.8
19.9




Soap (Household)
lb.
  3.6
  3.6
  7.8
  7.3
  7.4
  6.9




Pipe Tobacco
2 ozs.
  7.0
  7.0
17.0
17.0
17.0
17.0




Cigarettes
pkt. of 10
  3.0
  3.0
  6.0
  6.0
  6.0
  6.0










[Pg 9]The following table shows Retail Prices in March and June,
1922, in respect of certain Commodities for which corresponding prices
in 1914 were not collected.







 
 
Mid
 March, 1922.		
Mid June, 1922.




 
 
P.O.
M.L. and L.G.
P.O.
M.L. and L.G.




 
 
d.
d.
d.
d.




Butter (Irish Factory)
per lb.
21.9
21.1
22.0
20.6




Rice (Rangoon)
per lb.
  4.1
  4.0
  3.9
  3.8




Rice (Java)
per lb.
  6.1
  5.9
  5.9
  5.6




Jam (Strawberry)
per lb.
15.7
15.9
15.2
15.2




Fresh Pork (Shoulders)
per lb.
16.8
17.2
17.4
17.4




Fresh Herrings
per lb.
26.1
25.3
25.6
23.7




Cod Steak
per lb.
14.4
14.7
13.8
13.8




Tea (Quality most used by working classes)
per lb.
36.1
35.0
33.4
32.1




Cabbage
per head
  3.6
  3.7
  3.4
  3.1










The above prices, which were used as far as possible in conjunction with
other figures to arrive at the correct increases between July, 1914, and
March and June, 1922, in respect of commodities, less specifically
described in the returns for 1914 (e.g., Butter, Rice, Jam), will also
be of value in the future as an additional basis from which to calculate
the change in the cost of living.


Notes on Retail Prices.


(a) Collection of Figures for 1914.


There are obvious difficulties in the collection of figures for 1914
after so long a lapse of time, and the accuracy of these figures may
possibly be questioned.


Despite the eight years' interval, however, we believe these prices to
be reasonably accurate. The compilers of the returns were asked to get
figures in every case from the actual books kept by the shopkeepers; and
the food prices collected by us are in substantial agreement with those
collected by the Board of Trade in 1914. The latter are, as a matter of
fact, slightly higher than those collected by us, so that if they were
to be used in preference to our figures the resultant percentage
increase would be slightly lower than on the figures which we have
accepted.


(b) Comparison Restricted to Strictly Comparable Articles.


A point to be noted is that in comparing prices at different dates it is
essential that articles of different quality should not be compared;
milk, for instance, is a simple commodity and is always comparable with
milk, but beef is a variable commodity inasmuch as sirloin beef is not
strictly comparable with shin beef; consequently special figures showing
the relative [Pg 10]consumption and average prices of the different parts of
beef, mutton and bacon were obtained on Form B3 (see Appendix), and in
these cases the prices as returned for each description of meat are
separately weighted by the average quantities purchased in order to
arrive at the ultimate average prices for "beef," "mutton," etc.


As regards all other articles, it will be seen from the instructions on
the forms that pains were taken to explain that prices must only be
returned for strictly comparable articles.


(c) Accuracy of Rent Figures.


A point likely to give rise to criticism is the low percentage increase
shown for rent. This figure is, however, the result of comparing the
actual returns sent us by the Town Clerks and Rate Collectors, who gave
the actual name of the street and the actual number of each house, and
on the closest investigation we have no reason to doubt the accuracy of
their figures. The average weekly rents (including rates) appearing from
those returns are:—







 
Average Weekly Rent (including Rates).




July,1914
4s. 0d.




March, 1922
5s. 2d.




June, 1922
5s. 2d.







(d) Comparison of Figures received from Post Office and other
Sources.


It will have been noted from the Table of Retail Prices given above that
on the whole there is comparatively little difference between the sets
of figures compiled by the Post Office officials and those compiled by
the Ministry of Labour and Local Government Board officials, though the
Post Office figures tend to give a somewhat higher average increase of
prices. This is brought out by the following table of the ratios of
retail prices for the main groups of commodities for the three dates:—










 
Mid-July,
 1914.		
Mid-March, 1922.
Mid-June, 1922.




 
A
B
A
B
A
B




Food.
52.4
54.6
104.8
102.8
100
100




Clothing
52.7
52.9
103.9
101.7
100
100




Rent (C)
78.9
78.9
100.4
100.4
100
100




Fuel and Light
46.6
48.1
104.8
104.4
100
100




Sundries
50.5
51.9
103.2
103.1
100
100










The figures A result from the returns from the Post Office.


The figures B result from the returns from other Departments.


The figures C were obtained from only one Department—the Local
Government Board.


(In case the meaning of this table is not at once clear, it may be
explained that the first line, for instance, means that for 100s.
expended on food by the wage-earning households in June, 1922, [Pg 11]exactly
the same quantities and exactly the same foods could, according to the
Post Office officials' returns, be purchased in March, 1922, for
104.8s., and in July, 1914, for 52.4s. and according to the other
returns for 102.8s. and 54.6s. respectively; and so on with the other
items).


The near agreement of these figures is a strong proof of their essential
accuracy. We ultimately decided to take the average between the two sets
of figures as representing the nearest approach to the truth at which we
could arrive.





(B) The Collection of Household Budgets.


(1) Representative Budgets.


The second stage of our enquiry was to obtain representative household
budgets, from which to compile the "weights" by which the individual
price changes might be combined into a single final figure.


For this purpose a special Form was drafted (Form B6, a copy of which
appears in the Appendix) and some 5,000 of these forms were despatched
to National School teachers in every school in the country, accompanied
by detailed instructions (of which there is a copy in the Appendix) of
the method in which they were to be completed.


Notwithstanding the difficulties of the time when these budgets were
called for, and the fact that a number of forms were held up and perhaps
lost in the post, we were able to use 308 completed budgets of
wage-earning households, received from 112 towns. This number was quite
sufficient for our purpose. These budgets were excellently filled in,
and, apart from the fact that such a number is in itself a fair
guarantee of the statistical results obtained, we are satisfied for
reasons given below of the substantial accuracy of the budgets.


(2) Wide Scope of Budgets.


The budgets received were from a very varied class of households, and as
will be seen from the following list, embraced the principal industrial
occupations. Labourers, Fishermen, Messengers, Servants, Pilots, Barmen,
Carpenters, Boatmen, Building Contractors, Motor Boat Drivers,
Plasterers, Ship Inspector, Stone Masons, Marine Engineer, Bricklayer,
Mill-hands, Yachtman, Caretakers, Tailors, Post Office Workers,
Housekeepers, Tailoresses, Gardeners, Herds, Dress-makers, Shop
Assistants, Farm Stewards, Shoemakers, Charwomen, Dairyman, Cottage
Industries, Laundresses, Egg Packer, Milliners, Washerwomen, Fowl
Plucker, Shirtmaker, Hairdresser, Wool Sorter, Spinners, Smiths,
Woodcutters, Embroidery Workers, Fitters, Sawyers, Hosiers,
Boiler-makers, Wood-turners, Stitchers, Engineers, Body-makers,
Knitters, Plumbers, Golf Caddies, Lace-makers, Machinists, Pointers,
Road Engine Drivers, Crane-driver, Paper Maker, Motor Mechanics,
Collier, Sextons, Car Drivers, Brass-finisher, Butchers, Carters,
Bakers, Dealer, Chauffeur, Millers, [Pg 12]Electrician, Tram Driver,
Confectioner, Watchmaker, Railway Workers, Painters and Saddlers, etc.


(3) Compilation of Budgets.


Two methods of compiling the budgets were followed:—A simple addition
was made of the particulars of the expenditure on each item separately
recorded on each of the budgets. These particulars consisted of the
expenditure on food, sundries, and rent for one week in June, 1922; the
particulars of yearly expenditure on items of clothing, fuel and light
were reduced to a weekly average by dividing by 52, before adding. The
resulting totals gave the present average weekly expenditure on each
article, and consequently the proportion which the expenditure on each
article bears to the total expenditure of the average wage-earning
household.


A more complex method of compilation was also adopted which should lead
to an even more accurate result.


It was found by analysis of the Census figures that the proportion of
children under 14 to adults (persons over 14) is approximately as 2 to
5, and an adjustment was made to bring the budgets into conformity with
this proportion in order that they might truly represent the actual
proportions of the population of the country, the assumption being that
the percentage rise in the price of articles mainly consumed by children
might be higher or lower than the rise in the prices of articles mainly
consumed by persons over 14.


The budgets were accordingly classified into three groups, viz.:—"S" or
simple households, consisting of not more than two persons over 14
years, and with one or more children under 14 years; "C" or complex
households, consisting of more than two persons over 14 years, and with
one or more children under 14 years; and "A" or adult households, in
which there were not any persons under 14 years.


It was necessary to multiply the "A" group by 3, in order to bring the
proportionate number of adults and children in the budgets with which we
were dealing into conformity with the national proportion (5 to 2). The
figures for the three groups having been totalled separately, those
obtained for the "A" group were weighted accordingly.


It was found, however, that the difference between the "weights"
obtained by the first and by the second methods were so small as to be
quite negligible, as is shown by the following tables:—





[Pg 13]




Percentage increases from July, 1914, to March, 1922, as shown by
the application of Post Office Prices.[A]




Budget Grouping.
Food.
Clothing.
Rent.
Fuel and Light.
Sundries.
Total for all Items.




S+C+A
99.8
97.1
27.3
120.6
104.2
95.5




S+C+3A
99.9
97.3
27.3
124.9
104.1
95.7















Percentage increases from July, 1914, to
    March, 1922, as shown by the application of Ministry of Labour and Ministry of
    Local Government Prices.




Budget Grouping.
Food.
Clothing.
Rent.[A]
Fuel and Light.
Sundries.
Total for all Items.




S+C+A
88.2
91.4
27.3
116.8
97.0
86.9




S+C+3A
88.3
92.0
27.3
117.2
96.9
87.0




[A: Figures obtained for Local Government Board only.]










It may be mentioned here that if weights are obtained for the "S" group
of households only, i.e., for an average of two adults, and 3.5
children, the final increase in the cost of living figures would be 91.2
for March, 1922, and 84.6 for June, 1922, i.e., practically identical
with the figures obtained by "weighting" in accordance with all the
budgets.


(4) Table of Weights.


The following Table shows the actual Irish "weights," representing the
proportionate expenditure by the average wage-earning household on the
various commodities, as compiled from the budgets received.


The actual Irish weights or proportions of expenditure on each item are
as follow:—










Total expenditure
100    
Food
57.05




Beef
5.18
Flour
3.70




Mutton
2.94
Oatmeal, etc.
.97




Fresh Pork
.63
Rice, Sago, etc.
.45




Sausages, Black Puddings, etc.
.82
Potatoes
3.16




Bacon, Pigs' Heads, etc.
5.23
Other Vegetables
1.33




Fresh Fish
.61
Tea
3.80




Cured or Tinned Fish
.16
Sugar
3.24




Butter
6.91
Jam
1.12




Cheese
.26
Other Food
.95




Margarine
.18
Meals eaten at Shops,
 




Lard
.25
    Hotels, etc.
.70




Fresh Milk
4.56
 
 




Condensed Milk
.09
 
         




Eggs
3.44
Total Food
57.05




Bread
6.37
 
 




Clothing
 
      17.48
 




Women's:—
 
Girls' (over 6):—
 




    Coats
.69
    
 




    Hats
.37
    Coats
.50




    Costumes
1.09
    Hats
.23




    Blouses
.39
    Dresses
    .69




    Skirts
.21
    Stockings
.20




    Stockings
.24
    Combinations
    .13




    Combinations
.15
    Stays
.11




    Corsets
.19
    Petticoats
.15




    Underskirts
.18
    Chemises
.13




    Chemises
.19
    Boots and Shoes
.71




    Boots and Shoes
.92
    Other Clothing
.19




    Other Clothing
.27
 
 




[Pg 14]Men's:—

 
Boys' (over 6):—
 




    Overcoats
.83
    Overcoats
.27




    Suits
2.60
    Suits
.83




    Hats
.38
    Caps
.07




    Singlets
.30
    Shirts
.17




    Drawers
.30
    Stockings
.12




    Shirts
.55
    Boots and Shoes
.56




    Socks
.32
    Other Clothing
.13




    Boots and Shoes
1.33
Children (under 6):—
 




    Other Clothing
.34
    Clothes, Boots, etc.
    .45




 
 
        Total Clothing
17.48




Rent
 
        5.41
 




Fuel and Light
 
        7.04
 




Coal
3.14
Electricity for Cooking
—




Turf
1.79
Candles
.33




Firewood
.34
Paraffin Oil
.67




Gas for Lighting
.40
Other Fuel and Light
  .05




Gas for Cooking, etc.
.29
 
 




Electricity for lighting
.03
        Total Fuel and Light
7.04




Sundries
 
      13.02
 




Soap
1.12
Other Sundries
  8.41




Pipe Tobacco
2.11
 
 




Cigarettes
1.38
        Total Sundries
13.02




Total Expenditures
 
      100.0
 










Notes on the Budgets.


(a) Reliability of Budgets. Tests.


As a test of the reliability of the budget returns several sets were
taken at random and were arranged in two groups having a common factor
of approximately equal numbers of persons and equal total income. It was
found on addition that the proportion of total expenditure spent on each
description of food, clothing, etc., was approximately the same in each
family and income group. Thus we treated the first 30 budgets from
households with small and large incomes in this manner, dividing them so
that each lot of 15 would have about the same number of persons and the
same income. The selection was made without any reference whatever to
expenditure, and the following were the results:—


Percentage Expenditure.







 
1st Lot
 of 15.		
2nd Lot
 of 15.		




Food
54.3
53.2




Clothing
20.9
20.3




Rent
  6.6
  6.7




Fuel and Light
  6.7
  6.7




Sundries
11.5
13.1










[Pg 15]Numbers in the Household.







Under 4
  8
  3




4 to 13
30
31




14 and over
57
59




    Total
95
93




 
 
 




Total Weekly Incomes
1597s.
1543s.










The Household Budgets in the "S" Group were separately tested and the
following results were obtained:—







 
Income of Household.




Proportion of Expenditure under each of the following
    sub-divisions:—
Under £3
£3
£4
£5
£6 upwards




    Food
61.1
60.4
56.3
48.0
41.4




    Clothing
15.7
13.7
19.3
19.4
17.7




    Rent
  5.3
  6.6
  5.0
  8.8
12.4




    Fuel and Light
  8.7
  7.6
  7.3
  8.1
  9.0




    Sundries
  9.2
11.7
12.1
15.7
19.5




      Total
100
100
100
100
100







This test showed that the budgets we used conformed with common
experience, and is, therefore, evidence of their reliability.


(b) Comparison of English and Irish Weights.


The weights used in England in compiling the British index figure were
compiled from budgets collected as long ago as 1904. These show a
pre-war standard of living and the final index figure shows the
percentage increase in expenditure necessary to maintain that precise
standard of living absolutely unchanged at the present day.


We were not in possession of any Irish figures by which the pre-war
standard of living could be accurately measured, and it was accordingly
necessary for us to obtain budgets showing the present standard of
living. Our final index figure therefore shows the percentage increase
in expenditure which would have been necessary to maintain the present
standard of living absolutely unchanged from July, 1914, to the present
day.


It has been seen that according to the figures compiled by us, 57.1s.
out of every 100s. is spent on food in Irish wage-earning class
households; 17.5s. on clothing, and so on, and it is of interest to
compare these "weights" with the corresponding figures [Pg 16]calculated by
the English Ministry of Labour from the "United Kingdom" Budgets of
1904, which relate to the pre-war "United Kingdom" Standard of Living
and which are still in use in England.


The following table shows the proportion of each 100s. spent by
Wage-Earning Class Households which is spent on (1) Food, (2) Clothing,
(3) Rent, (4) Fuel and Light, and (5) Sundries:—










Class of Commodity.
In Ireland.
In "United Kingdom."




In June, 1922, as calculated from the Committee's Budgets.
In July, 1914, as calculated from the previous column by price changes.
In July, 1914, as calculated from 1904 Budgets.
In July, 1922, as calculated from 1904 Budgets by price changes.




 
A.
B.
C.
D.




(1) Food
  57.1
  56.2
  60
  58.6




(2) Clothing
  17.5
  17.0
  12
  15.6




(3) Rent
    5.4
    7.9
  16
  13.3




(4) Fuel and Light
    7.0
    6.6
    8
    8.3




(5) Sundries
  13.0
  12.3
    4
    4.2




 
100.0
100.0
100
100.0










It should be explained that the method of arriving at Columns B and D is
as follows:—


The amounts of the various commodities consumed, as shown in the table
compiled from the budgets, are left unchanged, but the prices are
altered according to the prices ruling at the date under consideration,
i.e., Column B shows the proportion of expenditure in 1914 on the
various classes of commodities had the 1914 standard been precisely the
same as the present day standard.





(C) Compilation of the Final Figure.


We were now in possession of the retail prices of the individual
commodities at the different dates, and of the weights obtained from the
summarisation of the household budgets, and these prices and weights for
the main groups of articles are set out in the subjoined table:—










 
Mid-July, 1914.
Mid-March, 1922.
Mid-June, 1922.
Irish Weights (see last par.).




 
A.
B.
A.
B.
A.
B.
 




Food
52.4
54.6
104.8
102.8
100
100
57.1




Clothing
52.7
52.9
103.9
101.7
100
100
17.5




Rent (C)
78.9
78.9
100.4
100.4
100
100
  5.4




Fuel and Light
46.6
48.1
104.8
104.4
100
100
  7.0




Sundries
50.5
51.9
103.2
103.1
100
100
13.0




[Pg 17]The figures A result from the returns from the Post Office.




The figures B result from the returns from other Departments.




The figures C were obtained from only one Department—the Local Government Board.










It now only remained for us to compile the final figure.


This was ascertained by multiplying the ratio prices of the various
commodities by the "weights" appropriate to those commodities (i.e.,
by multiplying the figures in the first six columns of the table above
by the figures in the final column).


The following table gives the result so obtained:—










 
Mid-July, 1914.
Mid-March,1922.
Mid-June, 1922.




 
A.
B.
A.
B.
A.
B.




Food
2992.0
3117.7
  5984.1
  5869.9
  5710.0
  5710.0




Clothing
  922.3
  925.7
  1818.2
  1779.7
  1750.0
  1750.0




Rent (C)
  426.1
  426.1
    542.2
    542.2
    540.0
    540.0




Fuel and Light
  326.2
  336.7
    730.8
    730.8
    700.0
    700.0




Sundries
  657.0
  674.7
  1341.6
  1327.3
  1300.0
  1300.0




      Total
5232.6
5480.9
10416.9
10249.9
10000.0
10000.0










Then, taking the prices in July, 1914, as the standard and representing
them by the figure of 100 we get the final percentage table.










 
Mid-July, 1914.
Mid-March,1922.
Mid-June, 1922.




As Per Cent. of
A.
B.
A.
B.
A.
B.




July, 1914.
100
100
195.7
187.0
187.8
182.5










The following table shows the percentage changes so obtained for the
main groups of commodities:—










 
March 1922 over July, 1914.
June 1922 over
 July 1914.		




 
A.
B.
A.
B.




Food
  99.9
  88.3
  90.8
  83.2




Clothing
  97.3
  92.0
  89.9
  88.7




Rent (C)
  27.3
  27.3
26.8
26.8




Fuel and Light
124.9
117.2
114.6
108.0




Sundries
104.1
  96.9
  97.8
  92.8




All Items
  95.7
  87.0
  87.8
  82.5










The figures in column marked "A" as before were obtained from the prices
collected by Post Office officials, and those marked "B" from prices
collected by officials of the Ministry of Labour and Local Government
Board.


[Pg 18]By taking the mean of "A" and "B" for March and for June, 1922, the
final figures showing the increases in the Cost of Living are
obtained:—







Mid-March, 1922,
 over July, 1914.		
Mid-June, 1922,
 over July, 1914.		




91.4 per cent.
85.2 per cent.







and these are the final figures which we recommend the Government to
adopt.





Notes on the Compilation.


(a) Comparison of Post Office, Ministry of Labour and Local
Government Board Figures.


The close similarity between the figures supplied by the various
Departments can perhaps be most clearly seen in a different tabular
form.


For every 100 shillings spent by wage-earning classes in July, 1914, the
following would be the corresponding amounts (as shown by the different
returns) which would have to be spent in order to maintain the same
standard of living in March and June, 1922.










 


Post Office

 (a)		
Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Local Govt. (b)

Mean of columns (a) and (b).
 (c)		
Deviation of (a) and (b) from the mean.

Deviation
 as a percentage of column (c).		




March, 1922
195.7
187.0
191.35
4.35
2.3




June, 1922
187.8
182.5
185.15
2.65
1.4










The last column shows that in general the difference between Post
Office, Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Local Government was 2.3 per
cent. of the mean for prices returned for March, 1922, and 1.4 per cent.
of the mean for prices returned for June, 1922—surely a small
difference considering the instability of prices.


(b) Sundries.


A point of some importance is the following:—


In the British budgets only items of which the price changes could be
accurately measured are understood to have been included.


In our Summary all "Sundries" shown in the budgets are included. But as
the price change of only about one-third of them could be directly
measured it was assumed that the change in the level of the prices of
the remaining sundries varied in the same proportion as the change in
the other four groups combined.





[Pg 19]


(D) Results of Different Weighting.


Calculations were also made whereby a final figure could be arrived at
by different methods, and the following table shows results obtained:—





Percentage Increases arising by using British Weights.







Different Methods.
Percentage Increase in Cost of Living in Ireland.




July 1914 to
 March 1922.		
July 1914 to
 June 1922.		




(a)
By applying British Weights in 1914 to the
    Committee's Irish Prices of all commodities in 1914 and 1922 the percentage
    increase in the Cost of Living would be
84.8
80.2




(b)
Taking Irish Prices for Food in 1914 as collected by the British
    Board of Trade, but the Committee's Prices for all other commodities in 1914 and
    all commodities in 1922 the increase would be
76.6
71.0




(c)
Taking British Prices for food in the "United Kingdom" in 1914,
    but the Committee's Prices for all other commodities in 1914 and all commodities
    in 1922 the increase would be
72.1
67.3




Prices obtained entirely on Irish weights and prices,
    and recommended for adoption are
91.4
85.2










As regards this table it should, however, be pointed out that the
commodities selected by us are not in all respects identical with those
selected by the British authorities and that the application of the
weights, although broadly speaking correct, could not be accurate in
every detail.


It only remains for us to express our gratitude for all the assistance
given to us by the officials of the Departments already mentioned and by
the staff assisting in the actual compilation. Our thanks are especially
due to Mr. C. J. Barry, of the Department of Agriculture and Technical
Instruction and to the National School teachers who furnished such
excellent budgets.



(Signed)       
    John Hooper, Chairman.

T. K. Bewley.

T. Mac Giolla Padraiᵹ.

Stanley Lyon.


4th August, 1922.









[Pg 20]










APPENDIX.








Form A.





DIRECTIONS.





1. All prices should be quoted in pence, and should be cash prices at
the shop (not delivered).


2. Please note the quantity mentioned in the first column in each case,
and let your figures correspond.


3. If actual prices paid for any item are not available—leave space
blank. Do not estimate.


4. The figures quoted for the month of March, 1922, should be those
prevailing on the date on which you fill up the form.


5. In the column headed "Observations," please furnish any particulars
concerning the retail prices of food in your district, which, in your
opinion are worthy of observation.


6. Fill in on the back page of the form particulars of the sources from
which information as to the prices of the commodity has been obtained,
for example:—










Commodity.
Source.
Nature.




Butter
John Macken, Main Street
Large Shop—Day Book




Eggs
Personal knowledge
Direct Country supply




Eggs
Mrs. O'Kane, Dublin Road
Household Pass Book










7. The figures representing the majority of the sales are the figures
required. Exceptional prices are of no value.


8. In every case you should check your information, whether given of
your knowledge or after investigation by enquiry from more than one
source.





[Pg 21]
RETAIL PRICES OF CERTAIN FOOD COMMODITIES IN _________________________

AT UNDERMENTIONED DATES. (City, Town, or District).







RETAIL PRICES OF CERTAIN FOOD COMMODITIES IN
_____________________________




AT UNDERMENTION DATES.
(City, Town, or District).




Commodity.
1913
1914
1922
Observations.




Jan.
April
July
Oct.
Feb.
July
Feb.
Mar.




Beef (Irish).
per
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Best cuts
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Second parts
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Rough meat
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Mutton (Irish).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Best cuts
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Second parts
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Rough meat
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Bacon.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Smoked (piece)
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Smoked (rashers)
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Unsmoked (piece)
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Unsmoked (rashers)
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Shoulder (piece)
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Shoulder (rashers)
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  American (piece)
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  American (rashers)
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Fresh Pork.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Chops
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Steaks
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Puddings
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Sausages.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Beef
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Pork
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  "Limerick"
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Lard
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Dripping
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Butter.
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Irish Creamery
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Irish farmer's
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  New Zealand
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Danish
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Margarine
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  First Grade
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Second Grade
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Third Grade.
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Cheese (give brand or other description).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Eggs.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  First Grade
doz.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Second Grade
doz.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Third Grade
doz.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Milk.[Pg 22]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Fresh
quart
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Buttermilk
quart
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Skim Milk
quart
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Tinned Milk.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Irish (give size of tin)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Imported (give size of tin)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Bread (per 2-lb. loaf)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Flour.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Household
stone
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Household per sack of ___
stones
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Best American per sack of ___
stones
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Meal.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Oaten
stone
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Wheaten
stone
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Indian
stone
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Rice
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Potatoes
stone
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Sugar, White granulated
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Tea
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Best quality
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Cheapest quality
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Coffee, Ground
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Cocoa.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Shell
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Tinned
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Jam, Irish (give name of kind in most demand).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Please add any information available as to prices of the following
    commodities, giving description of each item:—
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Fish
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Vegetables
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Poultry
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




  Fruit
lb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 
Signature
_____________________________




 
Date
_________________________










Form A—CONTINUED
[Pg 23]







Particulars of Sources from which information has been
obtained:—




Commodity.
Source.
Nature




Beef
 
 




Mutton
 
 




Bacon
 
 




Fresh Pork
 
 




Sausages
 
 




Lard
 
 




Dripping
 
 




Butter
 
 




Margarine
 
 




Cheese
 
 




Eggs
 
 




Milk
 
 




Tinned Milk
 
 




Bread
 
 




Flour
 
 




Meal
 
 




Rice
 
 




Potatoes
 
 




Sugar
 
 




Tea
 
 




Coffee
 
 




Cocoa
 
 




Jam
 
 




Fish
 
 




Vegetables
 
 




Poultry
 
 




Fruit
 
 











[Pg 24]


Form B 1.


INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING IN SPECIAL FORMS FOR RETAIL PRICES.


(1) The necessary inquiries for filling up these forms should be made
immediately.


(2) The returns duly completed should be posted so as to reach this
Office not later than Thursday, 22nd June. Please do your utmost to
post them as early as possible.


(3) Get the information from the shops most frequented by the
wage-earning classes. Prices representing the kind, quality, etc., on
which these classes spend most money are the prices required.


(4) Please note the quantity for which the prices of each commodity are
to be quoted.


(5) All prices on Forms B 2 and B 3 should be quoted in pence (but
correct to farthings)—thus Sugar 5-3/4d. per lb.


(6) Give actual prices. If you cannot get them leave blanks; do not give
estimates or averages. For prices for the dates prior to June, 1922, get
the Shopkeepers to look up their books.


(7) All prices should be cash prices at the shop (not delivered) they
should represent the majority of sales and they should be checked by
inquiry from more than one source.


(8) (a) Get prices in all cases from Shopkeepers, giving on each Form
the names and full postal addresses of those who supplied the
information for that Form.


(b) Give exact descriptions of beef, mutton, etc., where you are asked
to do this on the Form.


(9) Give on the space provided on each Form any explanations or
observations which you think would be helpful.





[Pg 25]
Form B 2.







RETAIL PRICES OF CERTAIN COMMODITIES




in ________________________(Parish of
    ________________________(City, Town, or District).




[Prices to be correct to the nearest farthing.]




Commodity.
Per
Mid-
Mar., 1922		
Mid-
June, 1922.		
Commodity.[B]
Per
Mid-
June, 1922.		




 
 
d.
d.
 
 
d.




Butter, Irish Factory
lb.
 
 
Pork Chops
lb.
 




Cheese, Golden Spray[A]
lb.
 
 
Pork Sausages
lb.
 




Condensed Milk, Irish full Cream
1 lb. tin
 
 
Lard
lb.
 




Condensed Milk, Nestle's
1 lb. tin
 
 
Buter, Irish Creamery
lb.
 




Rice, Rangoon
lb.
 
 
Butter, Irish Farmer's
lb.
 




Rice, Java
lb.
 
 
Margarine, First Grade
lb.
 




Jam, Strawberry
lb.
 
 
Margarine, Second Grade
lb.
 




Fresh Pork, Shoulders
lb.
 
 
Eggs, First Grade
doz.
 




Fish—Red Herrings
doz.
 
 
Milk, Fresh
Quart
 




Fish—Fresh Herrings
doz.
 
 
Bread (2 lb.)
loaf
 




Fish—Cod Steak
lb.
 
 
Flour, Household
14 lbs.
 




Tea (quality most used by working classes).
lb.
 
 
Oatmeal
14 lbs.
 




Cabbage
head
 
 
Potatoes, Old
14 lbs.
 




 
July, 1914.
 
 
Sugar, white granulated
lb.
 




Soap, Household (bar)
lb.
 
 
Tea, Best Quality
lb.
 




Candles
lb.
 
 
Tea, Cheapest Quality
lb.
 




Paraffin Oil
gal.
 
 
Observations.




Coal
112 lbs.
 
 
 
 
 




Turf[A]
112 lbs.
 
 
 
 
 




Gas for lighting[A]
 
 
 
 
 
 




Gas for cooking, &c.[A]
 
 
 
 
 
 




Electricity for lighting[A]
 
 
 
 
 
 




Electricity for cooking, &c.[A]
 
 
 
 
 
 




[A: Special Instructions.—(a) Cheese, Golden
    Spray.—If this kind of Cheese is not sold, strike out last two words,
    insert kind most usually sold to working classes, and give prices. (b)
    Turf.—Note, price is asked for per 112 lbs. State on back of this
    form how it is sold in your Parish, and give number of sods, creels, etc.,
    to the 112 lbs. (c) Gas and Electricity.—Insert the quantity
    which you are pricing, and state any "observations" (on the front or back
    of this form) which will help in compiling uniform quotations for the
    different parts of Ireland.]




 




[B: Note.—Prices for Mid-June, 1922, only are required for these
    particular commodities.]




Date_________________
 
(Signature)_________________________










[Pg 26]Form B 2—CONTINUED.







Commodity.
Name and full postal address of shopkeeper of Firm
    from whom the information was obtained.
Observations.




  {1} Butter
 
 




  (2) Cheese
 
 




  (3) Condensed Milk
 
 




  (4) Margarine
 
 




  (5) Lard
 
 




  (6) Sausages
 
 




  (7) Fresh Pork
 
 




  (8) Tea
 
 




  (9) Sugar
 
 




(10) Jam
 
 




(11) Rice
 
 




(12) Oatmeal
 
 




(13) Flour
 
 




(14) Bread
 
 




(15) Eggs
 
 




(16) Milk, fresh
 
 




(17) Potatoes
 
 




(18) Cabbage
 
 




(19) Fish
 
 




(20) Soap
 
 




(21) Candles
 
 




(22) Oil
 
 




(23) Coal
 
 




(24) Turf
 
 




(25) Gas
 
 




(26) Electricity
 
 










[Pg 27]Form B 3.







RETAIL PRICES OF CERTAIN COMMODITIES




in ___________________(Parish)
    of ___________________(City, Town or District).




PRICES.
ESTIMATED WEIGHTS.




 
 




Insert under Beef the exact description (e.g., "round steak,"
    "stewing beef," "rib steak," "corned brisket," "shoulder," "liver," etc., or
    whatever is the exact description) of each of the six parts, kinds, etc., on which
    the working classes at present spend most money, naming the parts in
    the order of their importance from this point of view.  Please insert prices
    opposite each description. Similarly, in the case of Mutton insert the
    exact description of the four parts, kinds, etc., in the order of their money
    importance to the working classes, entering the exact price opposite each. Again,
    under Bacon, etc., insert the exact description (e.g., "Irish shoulder
    rashers," "Irish bacon, back piece," "American bacon, shoulder piece," "Pigs'
    heads," "American Gams," etc., or whatever is the exact description) of each of
    the six parts, kinds, cuts, etc., of cured pigs on which the working classes
    at present spend most money, naming the parts in or of their importance
    from this point of view. Enter the exact prices opposite each description.

        Do not estimate prices. As regards Mid-March, shopkeeper's
    books should be referred to in each case.		
On each blank line below insert the same description as you have
    already inserted on the same line in the lefthand column, then insert below the
    best estimates of comparative weights which you can get from the shopkeeper.

        That is to say, for every 10 lbs. of that part,
    kind, cut, etc., on which the working classes spend most money, insert
    below the approximate weight of each of the other descriptions (2), (3),
    etc., purchased by the working classes.

        Do not estimate prices. As regards Mid-March, shopkeeper's books
    should be referred to in each case.		












BEEF, per lb.
Mid-March, 1922.
Mid-June, 1922.
BEEF.
Weights.




(1)
 
 
(1)
10 lb.




(2)
 
 
(2)
    lb.




(3)
 
 
(3)
    lb.




(4)
 
 
(4)
    lb.




(5)
 
 
(5)
    lb.




(6)
 
 
(6)
    lb.




[Pg 28]MUTTON, per lb.
 
 
MUTTON.
 




(1)
 
 
(1)
    lb.




(2)
 
 
(2)
    lb.




(3)
 
 
(3)
    lb.




(4)
 
 
(4)
    lb.




BACON, &c., per lb.
 
 
BACON, etc.
 




(1)
 
 
(1)
    lb.




(2)
 
 
(2)
    lb.




(3)
 
 
(3)
    lb.




(4)
 
 
(4)
    lb.




(5)
 
 
(5)
    lb.




(6)
 
 
(6)
    lb.




    The working-class families in
    this district spend about _____ shillings on Mutton for every 10 shillings spent
    on Beef.




    For every 10s. which the working
    classes spend on butchers' meat (beef and mutton) how much do they spend on bacon
    and other pig-meat (including sausages)? ____________




 




Signature_____________________
Date ___ June, 1922.




 




Source of Information___________________________




 




Observations____________________________________










[Pg 29]Form B 4.


CLOTHING OF WAGE-EARNING CLASSES.


Retail Prices in ___________________________


The prices for 1914 must refer to exactly the same type and quality of
articles as for 1922, which must be of a description in general demand
amongst wage-earning classes in 1922. In all cases of clothing it is the
ready-made article that should be priced, except as regards men's suits,
men's trousers and men's overcoats, for which two sets of prices, (1)
ready-made, (2) tailor-made, should be given.







Articles.
State Material and exact Description.
—
July, 1914.
Mar., 1922.
June, 1922.




 
 
 
s. d.
s. d.
s. d.




(A). Men's.
 
 
 
 
 




  Suits              (1)
 
each
 
 
 




  Suits              (2)
 
each
 
 
 




  Trousers        (1)
 
pair
 
 
 




  Trousers        (2)
 
pair
 
 
 




  Overcoats      (1)
 
each
 
 
 




  Overcoats      (2)
 
each
 
 
 




  Singlets
 
each
 
 
 




  Drawers
 
pair
 
 
 




  Shirts
 
each
 
 
 




  Socks
 
pair
 
 
 




  Boots
 
pair
 
 
 




(B). Boys aged about 12.
 
 
 
 
 




  Suits
 
each
 
 
 




  Overcoats
 
each
 
 
 




  Shirts
 
each
 
 
 




  Stockings
 
pair
 
 
 




  Boots
 
pair
 
 
 




(C). Women's.
 
 
 
 
 




  Light Coats
 
each
 
 
 




  Heavy Coats
 
each
 
 
 




  Costumes
 
each
 
 
 




  Blouses
 
each
 
 
 




  Skirts
 
each
 
 
 




  Stockings
 
pair
 
 
 




  Combinations
 
pair
 
 
 




  Corsets
 
each
 
 
 




  Underskirts
 
each
 
 
 




  Chemises
 
each
 
 
 




  Boots
 
pair
 
 
 




(D). Girls aged about 12
 
 
 
 
 




  Coats
 
each
 
 
 




  Dresses
 
each
 
 
 




  Stockings
 
pair
 
 
 




  Combinations
 
pair
 
 
 




  Stays
 
each
 
 
 




  Petticoats
 
each
 
 
 




  Chemises
 
each
 
 
 




  Boots
 
pair
 
 
 










Form B 4—CONTINUED


(E).—Materials purchased by Wage-earning Classes (same kind and quality
at each date).
[Pg 30]







Materials.
Exact Description,
 Width, &c.		
Per
July, 1914.
Mar., 1922.
June, 1922.




 
 
 
s. d.
s. d.
s. d.




Woollen Yarn
 
lb.
 
 
 




Calico
 
yard
 
 
 




Cotton
 
yard
 
 
 




Flannel
 
yard
 
 
 




Flannelette
 
yard
 
 
 




Serge
 
yard
 
 
 




Tweed
 
yard
 
 
 




Print
 
yard
 
 
 










(F).—Names and full postal addresses of shopkeepers, firms, &c., from whom
information on this Form B. 4 was obtained.








(G).—Observations.








Signature _______________________________


Date ______________________





[Pg 31]Form B 5.


This Form should be returned by the day of June, 1922.


REPRESENTATIVE RENTS PAID BY WAGE-EARNING CLASSES IN _______________


I.—WHOLE HOUSE OCCUPIED BY ONE FAMILY.


I.—The houses referred to below should be representative of
wage-earning class dwellings in as many different districts as possible.
Houses owned by the Local Authority should be indicated by an asterisk
placed after the postal number; such houses should only form their due
proportion of the number mentioned below since the Return is required to
show the true average change in rents in all wage-earning class houses.
Rents of actual houses should be given: different rents are not to be
averaged.







Name of Street.
Postal[A] No. or Nos. of houses.
No. of rooms in each house.
Annual Rent[B]
(including rates) of each house.		
Annual Rates on each  house.
P.L. Valuation of each house.




July, 1914.
Mar., 1922.
June, 1922.
July, 1914.
Mar., 1922.
June, 1922.
July, 1914.
Mar., 1922.
June, 1922.




 
 
 
£
s.
£
s.
£
s.
£
s.
£
s.
£
s.
£
s.
£
s.
£
s.




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




[A. Owned by the Local Authority.]




[B. It is the Annual rent
    that should be entered; accordingly weekly, monthly or quarterly rents at the
    above dates should be multiplied by 52, 12, or 4 respectively, and the result
    entered.]










[Pg 32]Form B 5—continued.


II.—PART ONLY OF HOUSE OCCUPIED BY FAMILY.


II.—The houses or tenements should be in as many different districts as
possible and the particulars should be representative of wage-earning
class accommodation in those districts. Actual rents are to be given:
different rents are not to be averaged.







Name of Street.
Postal No. of house.
Number[A] of rooms occupied by each famaily selected.
Amount of Rent paid per week for the rooms.




July, 1914.
Mar., 1922.
June, 1922.




 
 
 
£
s.
£
s.
£
s.




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




[A: The numbers required are to represent different
    types of wage-earning class accommodation and, therefore, families should be
    selected occupying different numbers of rooms so as to properly represent local
    conditions.]




Date ___________________ 1922.
Signature _____________________________










[Pg 33]Form B 6.—Page 1.


HOUSEHOLD BUDGET.


Particulars for all persons in a household at _________ Co.
__________ during the seven days ended ___ June, 1922.


(Note.—Particulars for each person should be given, one line
being devoted to each).







Description (e.g., husband, wife, father, son,
    niece, servant, lodger, &c.).
Sex
 (M) Male
 (F) Female		
Age.
Occupation.[A]
Earnings for the seven days.[B]




 
 
 
 
s. d.




  (1)
 
 
 
 




  (2)
 
 
 
 




  (3)
 
 
 
 




  (4)
 
 
 
 




  (5)
 
 
 
 




  (6)
 
 
 
 




  (7)
 
 
 
 




  (8)
 
 
 
 




  (9)
 
 
 
 




(10)
 
 
 
 




[1. e.g.,, "Carpenter," "dock labourer,"
    "domestic duties," "at school," &c.]
Total earnings (A)
 




[2. If there is a servant, her wages should not be
    included here.
Other receipts[E]
 




 
Total income (B)
 




(E) Receipts of old age or other pensions should be
    included here and not in the column for "earnings" above.




Please state on the following lines particulars of
    pensions or other receipts:—




Observations with regard to particulars on this page.
SUMMARY.




 
Number of Persons




 
 
No.




 
Who earned cash (A)
 




 
Who did not earn cash (A)
 




 
Total number of
    persons in the household
 




 
Total income
    (B) for the seven days
s. d.




 
Number of Persons




 
 
No.




 
Under 4 years
 




 
4 years to 13 (inclusive)
 




 
14 years and over
 




 
Total number of
    persons in the household
 










[Pg 34]Form B 6.—Page 2.


QUANTITIES AND COSTS OF ARTICLES CONSUMED DURING THE
 SEVEN DAYS ___
JUNE, TO ___ JUNE, 1922.







Food.
Qty.
s. d.
Fuel and Light.
Qty.
s. d.




  (1) Beef
lb.
 
(29) Coal
cwt.
 




  (2) Mutton
lb.
 
(30) Turf
cwt.
 




  (3) Fresh pork
lb.
 
(31) Firewood
 
 




  (4) Sausages, black puddings, &c.
lb.
 
(32) Gas
 
 




  (5) Bacon, pigs' heads, &c.
lb.
 
(33) Electricity
 
 




 
 
 
(34) Candles
lb.
 




 
 
 
(35) Paraffin Oil
pts.
 




  (6) Total Meat[4]
[3]
[4]
(36) Other Fuel and Light
[3]
 




  (7) Fresh Fish
[3]
 
(37) Total Fuel and Light
[3]
 




  (8) Cured or Tinned Fish
[3]
 
 
 
 




  (9) Butter
lb.
 
Household Requisites.
 
 




(10) Cheese
lb.
 
 
 
 




(11) Margarine
lb.
 
(38) Soap
 
 




(12) Lard
lb.
 
(39) Starch, blue, polishes, &c.
[3]
 




(13) Fresh Milk
pts.
 
(40) Crockery, hardware, &c.
[3]
 




(14) Condensed Milk
lb.
 
(41) Other household requisites.
[3]
 




(15) Eggs
doz.
 
(42) Total Household Requisites (F).
[3]
 




(16) Bread
2 lb.
 


 




 
loaves
 
 
 
 




(17) Flour
lb.
 
Sundries.
 
 




(18) Oatmeal, &c.
lb.
 
 
 
 




(19) Rice, Sago, &c.
lb.
 
(43) Pipe tobacco
oz.
 




(20) Potatoes
lb.
 
(44) Cigarettes
oz.
 




(21) Other Vegetables
[3]
 
(45) Medicines, Ointments, &c.
[3]
 




(22) Tea
lb.
 
(46) Newspapers, &c.
[3]
 




(23) Sugar
lb.
 
(47) Train and tram fares, &c.
[3]
 




(24) Jam
lb.
 
(48) Insurances
[3]
 




(25) Other food
[3]
 
(49)
 
 




(26) Meals eaten at shops, &c.
[3]
 
(50)
 
 




(27) Total Food (C)
[3]
[4]
(51)
 
 




(28) Clothes, boots, and shoes (D)
{3}
 
(52) Total Sundries (G)
[3]
 




[3. Cost only is required.]




[4. When totting be careful not to add in Meat twice
    over.]




Note.—Food purchased
    for poultry, pigs, &c.; materials for making up garments for sale;
    implements for producing goods for sale, &c., should not be included
    above.




(H) Rents (Including
    rates).—What is the weekly rent (including rates) of the house or rooms
    occupied by the household? ___ shillings and ___ pence.




Does the family own the house? ________ (yes or no).
    If the answer is "yes," insert the equivalent rent and rates.




Observations on Weekly Costs and on rent:—










[Pg 35]Form B 6.—Page 3.


COST OF CLOTHING (INCLUDING BOOTS AND SHOES) FOR
 THE TWELVE MONTHS,
JULY, 1921, TO JUNE, 1922, INCLUSIVE.


As it is exceptionally difficult to obtain representative costs of
clothing, you are earnestly requested to help the Government by going to
the greatest pains to give below the most accurate figures you possibly
can for the cost of the clothing (including boots and shoes) used up by
the household during the twelve months, July, 1921, to June, 1922,
inclusive. Costs of materials purchased for clothing (e.g., cotton for
children's dresses) should be included, any costs of making-up should be
added. Material purchased for making up articles for sale should not
be entered. Costs for repairs and alterations of Clothing
(including boots and shoes) should be included. For Articles which
usually last more than twelve months include below only the
proportionate cost for the twelve months. For instance, if an overcoat
is usually bought only once in three years, enter below only
one-third of the price; even if the overcoat was purchased eighteen
months ago, one-third of the cost should still be stated below. If the
exact amount of money spent during the twelve months on, for instance,
boys' stockings, cannot be remembered, but if it is known that a pair
lasts about four months, then include below three times the price of
the last pair. The lists below are intended for your convenience; some
of the articles may not have been used, others more important than some
mentioned may have to be included with minor expenditure under "Other
Clothing."







For Women.
For Girls over 6.
For Men.
For Boys over 6.




 
£ s.
 
£ s.
 
£ s.
 
£ s.




Coats
 
Coats
 
Overcoats
 
Overcoats
 




Hats
 
Hats
 
Suits
 
Suits
 




Costumes
 
Dresses
 
Hats
 
Caps
 




Blouses, &c.
 
Stockings
 
Singlets
 
Shirts
 




Skirts
 
Combinations
 
Drawers
 
Stockings
 




Stockings
 
Stays
 
Shirts
 
Boots & Shoes
 




Combinations
 
Petticoats
 
Socks
 
Other Clothing
 




Corsets
 
Chemises
 
Boots & Shoes
 
Total
 




Underskirts
 
Boots & Shoes
 
Other Clothing
 
Per Boy
 




Chemises
 
Other Clothing
 
 
 
For children under 6.




Boots & Shoes
 
 
 
 
 
Total children's 
£ s.




Other clothing
 
 
 
 
 
clothes, boots, &c.
 




Total of above
 
Total of above
 
Total of above
 
Per Child
 




Per Woman
 
Per Girl
 
Per Man
 
 
 




(I.) Total cost of Clothing, Boots and Shoes, for the
    whole household for 12 months, £ : :







Observations on costs of clothing (including Boots and
Shoes):—





[Pg 36]Form B 6.—Page 4.


COST OF FUEL AND LIGHT FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS,
 JULY, 1921, TO JUNE, 1922,
inclusive.


As the cost of fuel and light is so different in winter and summer, will
you please state below, as accurately as possible, the expenditure on
fuel and light by the household during the past twelve months, and the
corresponding quantities of the items consumed.







 
Quantity.
£ s.
 
Quantity.
£ s.




Coal
tons
 
Electricity for lighting
 
 




Turf
tons
 
Electricity for cooking &c.
 
 




Firewood
 
 
Candles
lb.
 




Gas for lighting
 
 
Paraffin Oil
galls.
 




Gas for cooking, &c.
 
 
Other fuel and light
 
 




(J). Total expenditure on Fuel and Light for the twelve
    months ___£




Observations on fuel and light:—




General Observations:—




 




 




The figures and observations inserted on these four
    pages are reliable to the best of my knowledge and belief.




 




Signature of Teacher or Assistant_________________________
    Rank______________




 
Address of School___________________________________




 
___________________________________




 
Date_____________1922.










[Pg 37]Form B 7.


INSTRUCTIONS FOR DEALING WITH HOUSEHOLD BUDGET FORM B 6.


1. Select the household with one or more wage-earners for which you can
give the most reliable particulars. You can choose any type of household
you think fit, it does not matter whether it be a household even of
twenty or even of one, whether comfortably off or poorly off, with many
children or with few or no children, with several wage-earners or with
only one, with no men, with no women, with a visitor, with a servant,
etc., provided the household chosen is one of the wage-earning class.
This will ensure that taking the country as a whole the budgets will
represent every day conditions and avoid anything exceptional.


2. If you select a household with a plot or garden in which food is
produced, or one with fowl or pigs, etc., a note to this effect should
be made under "Observations."


3. Make no statement which would identify the household for which you
send an account; as a further precaution the individual returns will be
treated as strictly confidential—your figures will be used only in
totting them with figures in a large number of other budgets in order to
arrive at averages, etc.


4. If you live with a wage earner and give the budget of your own house,
do not state that the household is your own, but you will of course
place the word "teacher" on one line in the occupation column of the
first table (a teacher is not necessarily a national school teacher; in
any case the budget will be treated as strictly confidential).


5. If you can get accurate particulars for the days of the current week,
do so. If not, would you ask the householder to keep an account for the
seven days immediately following the receipt of this communication. Post
your budget so as to reach here by the 30th June, at latest. Spend all
the time you can spare to get the particulars as accurate as possible.


6. Under "Observations" on each page give any remarks that may be
helpful, especially explanations of unusually large or small figures.
The budgets will be closely scrutinised.


7. Do not stamp the envelope; it will come post free.





Form B 7—continued.[Pg 38]


Page 1.


8. Give a line to each individual in the household from the oldest to
the youngest. In the summary table include as earners any who earn even
a few shillings. In case short time or only a few hours were worked this
should be stated under "Observations."


Page 2.


9. Get the quantity and cost of the items consumed in the week. In
most cases it will be accurate enough to state purchases during the
week, but where there has been an unusually large purchase of food,
etc., to last more than one week (or an unusually small purchase owing
to a large quantity being in hand at the beginning of the week) give the
quantity and cost of the week's consumption. You are, however,
definitely instructed to state the purchases during the week of such
articles as "clothing, boots and shoes," "crockery, hardware," etc., and
of all such goods which are intended to last more than one week. If any
article (e.g., a suit of clothes, etc.) is purchased on an easy payment
system give the total cost—not the amount of the instalment. It is
anticipated that a small number of budgets will contain abnormally large
figures for "clothing, boots and shoes," etc., and in such cases
particulars should be given under the "Observations."


Loads, creels, etc., of turf should be converted to the equivalent
weight.


Rent.—The figure required is to include rates. If the
household owns the house, this should be stated and the equivalent rent
(including rates) should be given. If the household do not occupy a
whole house, this should be stated.


10. You will observe that the week's expenditure will not necessarily be
the same as the week's income.


Pages 3 and 4


11. The difficulty of giving as accurate figures on pages 3 and 4 as on
pages 1 and 2 is recognised, but you are earnestly requested to do the
very best you can to give reliable figures. Under "Observations" on the
last page give an indication of the degree of accuracy of your figures.


12. Do not send a budget at all unless you are satisfied that the
figures are reliable on the whole.














PRINTED BY A. THOM  & CO., LTD., DUBLIN.

16459.     750.     9.   1922.