COST OF LIVING

Hokitika Guardian, 8 February 1929, Page 2

COST OF LIVING

STATISTICS SHOW INCH EASE. WELLINGTON, Feb. 0. The latent returns made by the Government Statistician disclose an upward trend in the cost of living. The retail price index taking the Dominion weighted average for the three food groups on December loth, was lfi2S. on the base of the average prices in the four centres for the period 1911-1913 being 1000. These figures are an increase of 27 points over the preceding month, and 52.2 per cent over those of July, 1914. A further increase in the price of potatoes is given ns the principal cause of tbe 53 points rise in the groceries group. \Dairy produce lias increased by four points, duo to tbe slightly dearer prices for butter and eggs, while beef and mutton account for a further increase of six points. It is pointed out that the amount spent on food constitutes rather less than two-fiftlis of tbe expenditure of an average household. To give a complete indication of retail prices generally statistics regarding clothing, footwear, etc., are collected quarterly, and when combined with tbe indexes for food, rent. fuel, and light, approximately 87 per cent of the average household expenditure is represented. The all groups index is 63.1 per cent above tbe July. 1914, level, so that it now takes £1 12s 7d to purchase what could be obtained for ,£’l at that time. On the basis of 1000 in 1911-13 tbe December index for tbe fuel and light group was 1863, otic point higher than for November.