PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION G. 545 



covered than in the case of retail. It has been found that whole- 

 sale and retail prices differ materially in the extent to which they 

 are affected by various influences. Generally speaking, the fluctua- 

 tions in wholesale prices are more frequent and violent than in 

 detail. 



The branch has already completed its investigations into the 

 question of prices in past years, the results having been published 

 in a special report. In the collection of the data, and compilation 

 of the results great care was exercised, and a rigorous system of 

 technique adopted. The course of wholesale prices in Melbourne 

 has been investigated since 1871 for 80 commodities; retail prices 

 in each capital town since 1901 for 46 items and house rent; and 

 import and export prices since 1901 for 44 commodities. In addi- 

 tion, current retail prices, beginning in 1912, are being investi- 

 gated for 30 of the more important towns in the Commonwealth. 



It is intended to maintain the wholesale and retail price re- 

 cords from month to montli into the future as a barometer of ten- 

 dencies in the cost of living, and of current commercial activity, 

 and to publish the results promptly in a quarterly Labour Bulletin, 

 with a more detailed review at the end of each year. Import and 

 export prices will also be investigated annually. 



The question of cost of living is not, however, to be confined 

 merely to investigations concerning prices and house rents. Cost 

 of living is affected by two things, viz., (i) Variations in the ex- 

 change value of gold, and (ii) Variation in standards and condi- 

 tions of living. The former class of variations can be measured 

 by investigations as to prices; the latter must form the subject of 

 separate investigations. Standards and conditions of living vary 

 from State to State and from town to town, as well as from class 

 to class, and, of course, finally individually. Especially is this 

 true in a vast country like Australia, when conditions existing 

 in the north of Queensland reproduce those of tropical climates, 

 while conditions in Melbourne resemble more closely those of Eng- 

 land. A careful study of variations and changes in conditions and 

 standards of living in different districts is therefore necessary be- 

 fore a thorough and complete investigation into the question of 

 cost of living can be made. These inquiries as to standard of living 

 it is hoped to undertake at an early date by means of householders' 

 budgets. 



Space will not permit of any further reference to the remain- 

 ing branches of inquiry to be dealt with by the new branch; it 

 must suffice to say that periodic records are now being collected 

 (as from the beginning of the present year) in regard to practically 

 all the matters enumerated and referred to in the diagram. With 

 these arrangements completed, and the several records mentioned 

 in operation, the branch may, it is believed, lay claim to be per- 

 forming a necessary and important work in the field of Australian 

 statistics. 



611;. s 



