THE DWINDLING POUND.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1919, Page 4

THE DWINDLING POUND.

ITS POWER AT CHRISTMAS. SOME INTERESTING FIQtjRES. Shopkeepers in New Plymouth ex« perienced a splendid day's business yesterdiay—one of the leading provision merchants in Devon Street stated that yesterday's takings were the highest in the history of his business. Though high prices contribute to increased-tak-ings the turnover of business is generally high. The pound note has lost its power of what seem like olden days, but all tradesmen remark on the plentiful supply of money and the freedom with, which customers spend. The old spirit of Christmas, they eay, has returned. It is the first time in five years that practically all the soldiers have been home and the custom of family reunions, at this season, of the year has returned. Costly luxuries for the table and expensive gifts for presents are: being purchased this year far mor» freely than was the case during that war. To-day is Christmas Eve—thaj young folks' carnival—and all the ahopvj will make special displays and prepar? to cope with a wonderful day's buiiMw* Some interesting figures showing tM purchasing power of twenty shillings today compared with what it was at Christmas, 1913, were given to a News* representative by a leading New Ply! mouth retail merchant. It shows that the Christmas delicacies which a pound would buy in 1913 would now cost £2 6s 6d; in other words the Christmas pur* chashing value of a pound now is about eight shillings. The following provide an interesting comparison;

191S 111# s. d. t. d. Gib. Currants (cleaned),.... 1 8 T 0 Sib. Sultanas (cleaned) .. 2 3 7 0 lib. Peel 0 5 8 4 21b. Idne Sugar 0 8 X 0 Vslb. Desslcated Cocoanui .. 0 4 1 0 3 battles Essence Lemon .. 1 0 1 « 1 battle Essence Vanilla .. » 4 0 « 1 doz. Palace Jelly Crystals 2 0 3. • 2 tins Baking Powder .... I 1 8 3 10 % lb. Jordan Almonds .... 0 T 1 • 1 lb. Muscatols 1 0 1 S lib Mixed Nuta (special) .. \ 0 0 1 4 3 tins Pineapple U 8 6 2 packets Sploe ......... 0 S 0 4 1 bottle 40oz. Lime Julca .. 1 0 8 0 21b. Tea 4 0 5 0 31b. Seeded Balslna ...... 1 0 8 6 Totals £100 £ S 5 6