COST OF LIVING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1999, 5 July 1919, Page 2

COST OF LIVING.

AN INTERESTING COMPARISON.

WELLINGTON PRICES IN 1906.

Nearly thirteen years ago the*# Labour Department issued a .poster showing “the prices of commodities in the four chief centres of. New Zealand at 10 a,m. on August 29th, 1906.” A copy of this poster gives a vivid idea of the enormous increase that has taken place in the cost of living. The following table shows the prices quoted by the Labour Department for Wellington in August, 1906, and the approximate present prices:—:

August, J«iy, * 1906. 1919. si. d. s. d. Bren cl (21b. loaf) 3 51 Butter (per lb.) 11 1 G to 1 3 tol 8 Jam (per lb. tin). 4 .64 to 6 to 8 Raisins (per lb.) 7 81 Flour (251b. bag) . 2 71 5 0 Oatmeal (Tib.) 1 0 2 7K 2 s^T Eggs (per dozen) 1 0 (upwards) Tea (per lb.) . 1 2 2 2 to 2 ! 2 (upwards) Sugar (per lb.) 21 3 Kerosene (per tin) 4 0 9 0 Bacon (per lb) 51 1 n to 9 to 1 6 Soap (per bar) G 1 34 to 10 Sago (per lb) 3 41 Candles (per lb.) 5 1 U to 6 Milk (per quart) 4 G Coal (per 1-ton) 7 G 15 0 A to 10 Gas (1,000ft. ) 5 5 7 1 Beef— Ribs 5 74 to 9 Topside 4 71 Stewing Steak 4 74 to 9 Sirloin 7 9 Mutton — Forequarter 3 7 Hindquarter 5 8 Leg 5 8 Shoulder 4 n Neck and Breast 3 5J Pork 6 i o H The rise in the price of oatmeal is not explainable on the basis of the price of oats.