Retail Price Rise In Last Quarter Of 1965

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30962, 19 January 1966, Page 16

Retail Price Rise In Last Quarter Of 1965

tIV.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Jan. 18. The all-group consumer's price index for the fourth quarter of 1965 was 1332, an increase of nine points on the figure for the third quarter of the year, the Department of Statistics announced today. This represented a rise of 0.7 per cent in the average level of retail prices between the third and fourth quarters of 1965. The index for the third quarter of 1965 ..as 1323. Index figures are based on the 1955 figure, which was fixed at 1000. The Department of Statistics said in a prepared statement that the major contributions to this increase came from the meat and fish subgroup, nearly three points, the rent sub-group, two points, and the home ownership sub-group one and a half points. The statement said that the •apparel group contributed one point to the increase in the index figure. Within the fruit, vegetable and eggs sub-group, eggs made a downward contribution of 31 points to the all-groups index which was more than offset by upward contributions from potatoes, 2} points, and onions, 2 points. The all-food group of the consumer’s price index, based on 1955-1000. rose from 1241 in November to 1257 in December the statement said.

Increases in the prices of eggs from an abnormally low level in October and November. contributed to a 121 point increase in the all food group. A further 2| paints

were contributed by potatoes and half a point by seasonal fruit and vegetables. Various other similar increases and decreases accounted for the balance.