COST OF LIVING

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 127, 30 May 1916, Page 5

COST OF LIVING

WAR INCREASES FOR APRIL.

Monthly returns of the cost of living since the outbreak of the war show that in April there was a further increase over March, if the three food groups (groceries, dairy produce, and meat) are considered together. The percentage increases for April and March over July, 1914, are as follow :—

Wellington—April 19.85, March1 16.71. Auckland—April 16.24, March 15.41. Christchurch — April 15.63, March 16.21.

Dnnodin—April 17.18, March 10.04. Dominion—-Weighted average, Anril 17.57, March 16.54.

Some portion of the added cost for April is attributable to seasonal increases, particularly in such goods as milk and eggs.

The returns, which are published by the Government Statistician (Mr. Malcolm Fraser, F.S.S.) in the Labour Journal, also show the movement of prices in the March quarter of 1916. A new and interesting feature of the reports is a set of thermometers showing skle by side the variations in the prices of groceries, dairy produce, meat, and rent in the various towns. The information presented in this way is enlightening. Alexandra, for instance, holds priority as regards groceries and dairy produce prices, but ranks third from the bottom for meat, and enjoys the lowest rent level. How important the rent factor is may bo jndged from the fact that, notwithstanding that top prices must he paid for dairy produce and groceries, Alexandra is the cheapest town in the Dominion. This is shown in another series of thermometers indicating the relative positions occupied by the towns as regards the general cost of living. The rent thermometer reveals the pre-emi-nence of Wellington. In all the other thermometers, xhe capital city 'lolds.an intermediate place. Average rents ■in Wellington are nearly three times as high as in Alexandra, and about 50 per cent, higher than in Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Wellington consistently holds first place in the general cost of living. Taihape and Botorua, which occupy the next positions, though much below Wellington, are affected by high rents and groceries.