RETAIL PRICES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 129, 13 March 1931, Page 5

RETAIL PRICES.

DROP IN COST OF LIVING. THE DOMINION INDEX. • . *'' (Special to “The Guardian.*!)’ WELLINGTON, March, 12/ The Government Statistician reports that the retail price index (Dominion weighted average) for the three food groups as at January 15 was 1443 (on the base—average prices in the .four centres during the years 1909-13—1000) a decrease of 34.9 per cent bver that for July, 1914. Although slight reductions have been noted in the price of sugar, the comparatively high prices ruling for potatoes jii several centres are the main factors contributing to tjio increase of 30 points uri the index number for groceries group. Reductions in the prices of milk, bacon, eggs, and cheese have been , counteracted (SomeAA’hat by the rise ,in the, price of butter ; these movements have resulted in a fall of 9 points in/ the dairy produce index number, i * • • . • vr y - Further reductions in meat prices ImA-e caused a downward movement of 85 points in the index number for this group. The January food, fuel and light index numbers combined with November clothing and drapery, footwear, and miscellaneous index numbers and the August rent index, give an all-groups index 53.8 per cent -above the July, 1914 level, so that it now takes £1 10s 9d on the average to purchase what could haA-e boon purchased for £l:in that month. \ .