THE WAR AND THE COST OF LIVING

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2854, 19 August 1916, Page 12

THE WAR AND THE COST OF LIVING

BRITISH FOOD PRICES. The Board of Trade "Labour Gazette" states that retail prices of food on June 1 were higher than on May 1 by about 21 per cent. British and imported meat advanced on the average about jd. to Id, per lb. The increase in the price of old potatoes between May 1 and June 1 amounted to 8 per cent., as compared with i'i per cent, in the previous month. This high level of potato i>rioes, due to the lateness of the season, is unlikely, to be maintained for uioro than a few weeks. The rise in the price of fish reported in May proved to be temporary only, and a fall of 7 per cent, was shown, in June. The seasonal decline in the price of eggs ceased to operate in May, and at the beginning of June prices averag-ed 6 per cent, higher than a month earlier. The price of cheese was nearly 3 per cent, higher, while that of fresh butter was over 2 uer cent, lower than a month ago. Bread and flour and the other articles included in the returns showed practically .-. no change in price during the month. As regards bread, however, there have beon reductions in price since June 1. As compared with June 1, 1915, retail food prices showed an averago increase of SO per cent. The greatest proportionate" advances wero in the prices of potatoes and granulated sugar, which rose by 60 *nd 50 per cent, respectively. British and imported beef and British mutton were from 20 to 25 per cent., and frozen nvutton was nearly 40 per cent, dearer. Eggs, cheese, fish, bacon,'tea, and milk showed advances ranging from about, 15 to 20 per cent; Butter and .margarine prices rose U and 12 per cent, respectively. Bread and:flour, prices showed, little change 'Caking the country as a whole, and making allowance for the relative importance of the various articles in working-class household cxpenditure v the average.''increase in trie retail prices of food since the beginning of the war may be put at 59 per cent.,' which is redec-ed to 53 per cent.'if-the increase in the duties of tea arid sugar is deducted.