COST OF LIVING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 157, 6 July 1931, Page 3

COST OF LIVING.

STATISTICS TOR MAY.

48 PER CENT 1914

The retail price index number for the three food groups on May 15 was 1335, a decrease of four points since the previous month; and an increase of 24.8 per cent over the July, 1914, level of prices for these commodities, states the Monthly Abstract of Statistics.

The groceries index number has fallen by 18 points, seasonal decreases in the prices of potatoes and onions, together with a fall in the price of bread in one of the larger towns, contributing to this movement in the index.

The seasonal upward movement in dairy produce prices usual during this month of the year is not as pronounced as in previous years. Eggs have risen considerably in price, but the effect of this upward movement has been counterbalanced to a large extent by further slight decreases iu butter and cheese prices. Milk prices have not, as yet, advanced in most towns, while in two caees an actual reduction has been recorded in the price of this commodity. The net effect of these fluctuations has been an increase of seven points in the index number for this group. Meat prices have risen slightly in most towns, the index number for this group having increased by seven points. This is the firet check that has been

recorded in the series of successive monthly decreases in this index number which commenced in October of last year, the cumulative decrease since September, 1930, being 357 points or 23 per cent. Meat prices are now, on flie average, only 4.1 per cent above July, 1914, prices. The May fuel and light index number fell three points, as compared with that for April. Clothing, drapery and footwear prices have fallen by 27 points since February, the May index number for this group being 28 per cent above the 1914 level. The retail price index number for miscellaneous items has fallen by six points since February.

The May index numbers for food, fuel and lighting, clothing and drapery, and miscellaneous items when combined with the February rent index, result in an "all groups" index number 48 per cent above the July, 1914, level, so that, measured in retail prices, it now takes il 9/7 to purchase what could have been purchased for £1 in that month Since May, it should be noted, there have been several -changes in prices, notably m the price of meat.