COST OF LIVING.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15793, 8 January 1917, Page 8

COST OF LIVING.

STRANGE VARIATIONS l

How cost of food varies in the four centre.-, is graphically shown in a table prepared by tho Government Statistician. Since July, 1911 (before tho war) ag on November loth last Auckland groceries are 24,53 per cent, dearer; in Wellington 27.5 V) per wnt.; Christchurch 120.65, and Duncdin 23.87 per; cent. It is amazing (says the Welling, ton "Post 7 '), except to those in tho trade, -vvhy groceries should bo seven, per cent, dearer in Wellington than in Christehurch. and why Dunedin should obtain its groceries 1 per cent, cheaper than Auckland.

Dairy produce again has risen sinco the war 28.08 per cent, in Auckland, and that is fo.lß per cent. higher than in Wellington, where the rise is but 12.90 per cpnt. on pre-war rates, according to these figures. 3feat, argain, since the war is shown ag 23.91 per cent, dearer in Auckland, while in Christeburch it is 28.00 per cent. How this difference of values is arrived at is a mystery to those unfamiliar with the meat trade. The variations in the percentage increase** in smaller towns are quite astonishing. For instance, New Plymouth shows a war-period rise of 12.05 per cent, in the price of groceries, while Hamilton's increase is 31.58. Dairy produce foodstuffs 'hav« rieen by 8.11 per cent, in Taihape aad 9.36 per cent, in Gore, while in Wanganui and Palmerston North they have advanced 24,3G and 26,14 per cent, respectively. Nelson's meat cost 5.37 per cent, more than it did before the war, but the butcher's bills of the residents of Waihi and Gisborne have advanced 42.22 per cent and 54.88 per confc. respectively. Truly mysterious figures, those. Is tho cost of distribution too heavy? Is competition too keen, or is\ there not enotigh competition? The consumer, as such, is naturally left in a quandary on perusing these figures. The increases in July, 1915, July, 191<>, and November, 1016, over the prices ruling on July 31st, 1914, in the' four centres, show as under:—

Incrcaso Increase Increase Julv, Jul}', Xor. f 1315. 1916. 1916.' per cent, per cent, percent. Auckland .. 9.72 19.54 21.28 Wellington .. 14.77 2a,11 20*87 Chrisichnrch .. 9.53 3(5.37 24*21 Ihinedin ... 13.05 J 8. .in .. Dominion average 12.15 19,25 22!t.L •