COST OF LIVING

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1931, Page 5

COST OF LIVING

STATISTICIAN’S RECORD. DECREASE SHOWN. AN ALL ROUND DECLINE. The Dominion weighted average index number lor the three food groups us at February 15. was 1385 ton the base—average prices in the four chief centres during the years 1909-13 10(H)), a decrease of 5S points as compurnd with that for the previous month : and an increase of 29.7 per cent, over that for July. 1914. Prices in the groceries group fell by 35 points as compared with January prices, which, however, were higher than those prevailing in the immediately preceding months owing to .the seasonal influences affecting the prices of potatoes and onions. Dairy produce prices have risen by 20 points since January, a slight increase in the price of butter and a more substantial upward movement in egg prices being only partly counteracted by a slight fall in bacon. prices m some centres. The level of prices in this group is still, however, comparatively low; the increase over July, 1914, prices being only 21.8 per cent. FALL IN MEAT. A sharp all-round decrease in meat prices has caused a foil of 135 points in the index number for this group. Prices df mutton have fallen very considerably, the present retail prices in some towns being only very slightly in advance of the July, 1914 prices. Beef and pork have also declined in price although not to the same extent as mutton. The Dominion index number for this group is at present only 9.8 per cent, above the July, 1914 figure. Expenditure on food constitutes somewhat less than 'two-fifths of the total expenditure of the average house hold. In order to present a more complete picture of the movement in retail prices generally, statistics regarding retail prices of clothing, drapery, footwear, and miscellaneous items are collected at quarterly intervals, while returns as to house rents are obtained twice a year. When (these indexes are combined with the monthly food and (fuel an dlight indexes approximately 87 per cent, of the total Family expenditure is represented. The February index numbers for the fuel and light group shows a decrease df 3 points as compared with January.

The rent-index number as at February 15 was 1817, a decrease of 68 points as compared with that for the previous collection (August, 1930). Among the four chief centres 'the index For Auckland has fallen 43 points niul Dunedin, 15 points. The Wellington index, however, still remains eon-> siderahly higher than (for any of tne fttnm* centres. CLOTHING DRAPERY. Clothing and drapery prices have fallen since November lust by 42 pomts (on the base, July, 1914—1000), ibrt present index being 30.6 per ceiKti above the July, 1914 level. The index for the miscellaneous group as at February 13 (1619) represent an increase of 13 points as compared with that for November. 1930. Prices ot most items in this group have remained pradtieallv stationary, the increase in the index being caused by the rise in railway fares. The “all groups” index number as at February 15 on the base July, 1914 1000, is 1504, a decrease of 50 points as compared with the November, 1930 index and an increase of 50.4 per cent over the July, 1914, level. The wholesale prices index number continues to decline, the number for February recording a fall of 34 points compared with January, and the substantial drop o!f 103 points from February. 1930. this latter decline being equivalent to 6.7 per cent. This heavy fall in the index nuirioer for “all groups” has been contributed to by some remarkable movements in individual groups during the last- twelve months. The heaviest fall was registered by “semi-manufactured animal products (not food).” which shows a decline of 393 points. Other decreases worthy of note are “cither foodstuffs of animals origin,” 303 points ; leather 302 points ; and meats, 274 points.