THE COST OF LIVING

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4834, 16 April 1936, Page 4

THE COST OF LIVING

NOW AND FORTY YEARS AGO. An interesting record of prices ruling in Stratford for grocery lines 40 years ago is in the possession of Mr. W. Macdonald, Stratford. It is the first ledger of the Central Cooperative Store Company, and Mr. Macdonald, who occupied the position of manager when the business was discontinued some years ago, has retained the ledger opened in 1895. Having regard, to wages and conditions at that early period admittedly living was then much cheaper. For example, a 1001 b. of flour, which was retailed in 1895 at the price of 11s 6d, now costs 18s 6d. The best tea procurable sold at 2s, and a similar quality to-day costs 3s 4d per lb. A bushel of wheat was selling at 4s 3d, as against the existing price of 6s 6d. The price of oatmeal has nearly doubled, increasing from 3s 3d for a 251 b. bag to 6s. A much greater rise is shown in a comparison of the prices for plug tobacco, the cost in 1895 being 4s 6d per pound, as against 14s. For a 41b. loaf of bread the early settler had to pay 6d, exactly half of the price recently fixed. One of the very few commodities which was at a higher price than at present is cocoa. A brand which is still widely advertised cost 3s 3d per lb. wholesale, while the existing price is only Is lOd. Farmers who brought their butter to the store received 5d per lb.