THE COST OF LIVING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 133, 18 March 1931, Page 6

THE COST OF LIVING.

FURTHER REDUCTION EXPECTED (Per Press 'Association). WELLINGTON, March 17. " 1 am confident that the cost of living vn'll come down and that the wage reductions proposed will be more than met by reductions in prices of commodities," declared the Prime Min-» ister in the House to-night. Quoting from figures especially prepared by the Government Statistician, Mr Forbes said it was shown that in February, 1921, the food groups index was 75.1 per cent,, and the all-groups index 85.5 per cent, above July, 19M, while last month tliev were only 1*9.-1 per cent, and 5'0.3 per cent above July, 1914. Stated as a percentage decrease between February, 1921, and February, 1931, computed with February, 1921, as a base, the fall Represented decreases of 26.1 per cent, and 10 per cent, respectively. Similarly the indexes for February, 1931, were 15.5 per coin, food and 8.9 per cent, all groups less above the July. 1911, base than were the corresponding indexes for February, 1930. The figures, added Mr Forbes, showed that there was a material downward trend, and he fell confident that the drop would be maintained after the legislation before the House had been passed.