PRICES THAT VARY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1920, Page 4

PRICES THAT VARY

•CURIOUS discrepancies. ■ Price variations in the Dominion continue. They are difficult to understand. A tin contanng 15 ounces of tobacco —reputed 2 ounces—is obtainable in Waihi for Is 4d in Auckland for Is 03d in Wellington for Is sd, in Whangarei for Is 6d. Cigarettes that cost lOd in Invercargill are obtainable in New Plymouth for 73d. On the other hand, New Plymouth sells rump steak for Is 2d per pound, whereas the price in Dannevirke is 10d. Waihi retailers charge Is per pound for pork sausages, which in Dunedin are purchasable for 7d, and in Wellington cost Bd. The distinction of obtaining the highest retail price for a leg of mutton is shared by Hamilton and Rotorua, where it costs lOd per pound. 111 some cases variations of from 25 a> 30 per cent, are to be noticed in the prices of identical articles in different places. The figures are those furnished by the Government Statistician. Wholesale prices also show variations. For instance, household soap, New Zealand made, selling at £52 per ton in Dunedin, is obtainable in Wellington and Auckland at £39 per ton. Leather (first quality brands) is about the same per pound in the four centres. Ordinary building rimu is £1 3s 3d per 100 feet in Auckland, £1 8s in Wellington, £1 4s 8d in Christchurch, and 19s in Dunedin.