COST OF LIVING.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1926, Page 1

COST OF LIVING.

ST AT ISTI {' IA .VS REPORT. WELLINGTON, Alarch •!. The Government Statistician reports that the retail price index, Dominion weighted average, for the three food groups, groceries, dairy produce and meat, as at January 1.5 was 1052, involving a rise of one point as compared with the corresponding index for the preceding; month and showing a price level of 51.1 per cent above that for duly, 1014, viz 1070. In the groceries group ii rise of 18 points tins been occasioned mainly try a continuation in most towns of the usual seasonal rise in the price of potatoes. A fall in butter accounts for a drop of 7 points in the dairy produce group, while following the phenomenal increase in meat recorded (hiring the spring, culminating in an index number of 157-1 in November last, that group has since fallen considerably, a drop of 28 points being recorded in .January.

I'll January 1926 the index number for the three food groups showed « level 78 points higher than the index number for the corresponding month last year. All the food groups partake in this increase. The higher prices prevailing this year for Hour, broad and potatoes account for a rise of Do points in the groceries group. The price of meat shows a level 124 points above that for January. 1925. while a rise which is shared by practically all items of dairy produce accounts for an increase of 7! points in that, group. Expenditure on food constitutes somewhat less than two-fifths of the total expenditure of the average Xev Zealand household. On the all grotto; basis there is indicated an increase for the retail price level of 62. S per cent over the level ol July, 1911.