188 KOOT MATTERS IN SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS. 



past as regards tlie comparative progress made in population, 

 and in material and social condition. 



This can best be realised by tabulating for distinct pro- 

 gressive periods, statistics bearing upon population, crime, 

 pauperism, effective purchasing power of the labourer in 

 relation to primary wants and comfort. The condition of the 

 United Kingdom since 1541 affords the best index of com- 

 parative progress. 



O0MPARA.TIVE Effective Purchasing Power of Labour. 



Mucb information of value is lacking in the earlier periods 

 referred to, but what is lacking would tell all the more in 

 favour of the condition of the labourer in existing times : — • 



1887 



3,551,751 



Australasian Colonies. 



38 10 53 7 4-34 



The few figures in th.e preceding table tell a significant 

 tale. Of course, it would be alleged by all who had pre- 

 conceived notions that rates of wages and prices do not 

 always reveal the effective power of the labourer to command 

 primary wants. But no index of this relative power can be 

 so satisfactorily shown than by reference to the relative pur- 

 chasing power of the labourer as regards the staff of life. 

 Whatever qualification may be urged, it is undoubted that 

 the purchasing command of bread is the most powerful index 

 to purchasing command over other wants. 



Now, when it is shown that the average weekly wage of 

 the wage-earning class at the present time, by the expenditure 



