Ireland. Ministry of Economic Affairs

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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 ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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 following table shows the percentage changes so obtained for the main groups of commodities:—
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:—
and these are the final figures which we recommend the Government to adopt. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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 ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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:—
7. ”