LIVING.

Otaki Mail, 22 December 1919, Page 4

LIVING.

ENT ABOVE 1911. .HRturns published in the .j)|^fa2 e tte ,) in October show cost o£ living at preMgKris 120 per cent higher than it was BBeiorc the war. It stands at the same figure now as it did at the beginning of the year, and from 10 to 15 per cent more than in the middle of the sum- - mcr, the actual inereaed percentages being:— January 120, February 120, March 115, April 110, May 105, June 105, July 105, August 115, September 115, October 120. These statistics, says a London paper, take house rent and fuel into account, as well as food, the retail prices of the principal articles of consumption being really 122. per cent ahead of what they i were in July, 1914. Their tendency is to rise rather than to fall, and the difficulty to the community will be accentuated if the prospect of higher rent?, rates, and railway charges happens to be realised. As to food, the most important change, as compared with September, is in the price of milk, which has advanced by 23 per cent, the increase representing 2d a quart in the large towns and IJd in the smaller places. Fish is about 9 and eggs S per cent dearer. Potatoes were 12 per cent cheaper in the provinces, but 20 per cent dearer in London, a fact probably due to the railway strike. Both tea and bread contribute to advance! House rent has gone up slightly, and clothing substantially. Bad, however, as things are in the United Kingdom, they are worse elsewhere, as will be seen from the following increases upon the previous standard: — Belgium: Brussels 267, Antwerp 273. France: Paris 159, other towns 283. Italy: 43 towns 181, Milan 226. Norway 171, Portugal 151. Sweden 209, Switzerland 150. In other countries the advance has been less marked: Denmark 112, Holland 108, Spain 57, United States 86, Australia 48, Canada 94, New Zealand 48; South Africa 36,