COST OF LIVING

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20507, 25 May 1938, Page 12

COST OF LIVING

RETAIL PRICE INDEX The retail prices index (base: 192630 equals 1000) for the three foodgroups/' fell two points during the i month, the index for March being 983, |as compared with 985 in February, this being the result of conflicting tendencies in the groceries and dairy . produce groups. The index for the i former group fell 17 points (from 955 ; to 938), due. for the third month in j succession, to lower prices for potatoes and onions, while that for the latter rose six points (from 927 to 933), owing to the influence of egg prices. When the March indices for the food and fuel and light groups are combined with the February indices for the remaining groups, an allgroups Index of 942 is obtained, which 13 one point below* that for the previous month, and 50 per cent above the 1914 level. Wholesale Prices The wholesale price index (base: i 1909-13 equals 1000) has fallen six points (from 1528 to 1522), a decrease of 16 points (from 1621 to 1605) in the index for locally produced goods (due mainly to the influence of lower meat prices) being partially counteracted by an increase of seven points (from 1418 to 1425) in that for imported goods. This latter movement xvas caused by higher prices for serges in the textiles group and for newsprint in the wood products group. The export prices index (base: 1909-13 equals 1000) has also fallen six points (from 1351 to 1345), various conflicting tendencies in the individual groups largely neutralising eaeja other. The principal movements xvere in the following groups:—lncreases ; Hides, skins, etc., 116 points: minerals, 73 points. Decreases: Wool, 41 points; timber, 63 points.