PRICE CHARGES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 November 1939, Page 5

PRICE CHARGES

INCREASES IN BRITAIN. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 16. The Labour Ministry announces that on November 1 the general cost-of-liv-ing index figure was 69 per cent above the July. 1914, level, as compared with 65 per cent on September 30. This four-point rise is equivalent to about 2! per cent. Taking food alone, the figure is the same, and this is largely due to price increases in bacon and eggs. In the latter the use is seasonal, and it is only fractionally higher than in the similar period last year. The prices of meat and butter also show increases, though less marked, and this is accounted for by the higher importation; costs, but some goods show a decrease, particularly fish and margarine. It is considered probable that many housewives. by changing the family diet, are obtaining equal food value without increased expenditure. Since the outbreak of the war the living costs have risen by 14 points, of which over 11 points is due to the sugar tax increase. The Board of Trade index of wholesale prices in October was 5 per cent higher than in the month before and 11.5 per cent higher than a year ago.