HOUSEWIFE'S POUND.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 4148, 19 November 1920, Page 4

HOUSEWIFE'S POUND.

WHAT IT BUYS TO-DAY

TARANAKI THE CHEAPEST

PROVINCE

According to the Government Statistician's latest figures Noav Plymouth is, for the first time, given as the cheapest toAvn in Noav Zealand tor groceries, and this a.lso indicates that Tanmaki is the cheapest province. A record is not complied for other Taranaki towns, but as the retail price is governed by the Avholesalo cost, and as llaAvcra and the other centres buy through the same channels as NeAV Plymouth, their prices aro proportionately loav. . It is interesting to note vrhat expense Avould bo incurred by the housoAvife to- . day avlio goes to toAvn in Noav Zealand :to buy groceries, dairy produce and meat with a basket constructed in July, of 1914, ,to carry a sovereign's worth of supplies. , Her experiences Avould be someAvhat varied, and if the various toAvns can be imagined ! as competing tradesmen the charge for the goods costing £1. in 1914 would run as i folloAvs: — In answer to "Hoav much please?" Timaru would reply "35s Bd, madam. This is not as high as Palmerston North, Avhcre j they will charge you 36s 6d for that lot." • I.nvercarrrill bids '34s 6d, but Nelson intor- | j-'cts: "Live in perpofiml sunshine and fill your basket for 33s lOd." "Shop in the capital lor 34s 1-j.d" is Wellington s slogan, but Auckland advises the prospective customer —"Come north and buy at 33s 6d." r J.he buyer would naturally be somciAvlint p.wplexcd by the cfl'cnts of each ci-ntro to i outdo the othei\ But if the GoA-crnmenl-Sttitistioian's advice was sought, she would look up his latest; record .'ipd irrnnodiately I pronounce jitdginont in favour oi"_ Taranaki, finding Noav Plymouth's quotation to bo 32s 7Ad.— News.