522 



PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION G. 



In each experience, except that of New Zealand, the highest 

 point is reached at approximately the same age, but in New Zea- 

 land it is reached a few years later. The following is a summary 

 of the highest points in each case: — 



New South Wales general population, 1903 

 New South Wales general population, 1911 

 New Zealand general population, 1906-10 

 New South Wales Public Service 

 Commonwealth Public service — 



Administrative, Professional, and Clerical 



General 



The trend of the curve relating to the New Zealand experience 

 seems to indicate that the highest family averages are reached at a 

 period somewhat later in life than obtains in the Australian 

 States; and this peculiarity is also noticeable when other points 

 in the respective curves are studied. It is interesting to speculate 

 upon, but not easy to discuss the cause of this. The difference in 

 age at marriage will not account for it. The New Zealand men 

 marry about a year later than in Australia, but the highest 

 family averages, as compared with New South Wales, are about 

 four years later. 



After the maximum is reached, the annuity values in each 

 curve decrease rapidly, more rapidly in the cases of the public 

 service curves than in those of the general population; but in 

 some experiences there is, between certain ages subsequent to the 

 Tuaximum point, an interruption in the steady decrease, causing 

 what may be, not inaptly, termed a " hump " in what is otherwise 

 an even and continually decreasing series. This is not apparent in 

 the Public Service of New South Wales, nor in the Commonwealth 

 Service Divisions, but in those relating to the general population 

 it is more or less marked at about the following ages: — 



New South Wales, 1903 

 New South Wales, 1911 

 New Zealand, 1906-10 



Ages 46 to 52 



Ages 45 to 52 and 54 to 57 



Ages 49 to 55 



In the New South Wales 1911 experience, there is an indi- 

 cation of a slight second interruption in the rate of decrease at 

 about ages 54 to 57, but the main " hump " is noticeable between 

 ages 45 and 52. 



