COST OF LIVING.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1923, Page 3

COST OF LIVING.

THE LATEST FIGURES

WELLINGTON. Dec. 22

A further rise in the index number of the t.hroe food groups is indicated in the Government Statistician s report oil prices 11s at November lotli. The index number <>l the three food jrroups is now 1573, no iucrense ol 13 points over that ’for the previous month, thus showing tlmt the prmeipal items of food oust 47.01 per rent, more tluin in the pro\wir \c-iiis. The reasons for *liis ri-e are that higher prices for potatoes and onions raised the grocery group hy 13 points, while the increases in bacon and eggs in most towns sent up the dairy group bv 10 points. A i iso oi II) points in the meat group is due to a further rise in beef and pork in most: towns. Tim cost of living m New Zealand compared with '-.tlu'i parts of the Kmfiire is shown to have increased since the outbreak ol war as rnll "' VS: ““ per Oar. j South Africa j'J New Zealand ' 1 Canada '' India (Bombay) Australia ..., United Kingdom " CVt of living figures had been droppin" since January. 1021. when the increase shown was 73.13 per rent, over pre-war. The position at the date of the first reduction u. wages h> 1 bv the Arbitration Court o os ; t - '■ for adult male workers ... M" 'l. ' was 43.03 per cent, over pro-wa,. . second reduction of 3s weekly w• - in "• ; figures were 30.33 ... excess o. >'. war. They dropped to xhw^ January ol this year. • • .*r nri»-\var prices. nun r .ont m «>l p»< i - no« ’ ~ | |i (;>} jmr cent, m excess t..e the Arbitration Court suspended further wage reductions, the Brestden statin l ' that the general position had undoubtedly improved, but - east another good year was > enahle the Court to state -bat ■ cial stability had again been at auui . Vhe sliding scale system Has sum | l)0C „ abandoned, and wages will ilxed as the conditions indicate v I awards are made.