COST OF LIVING IN SYDNEY.

Mataura Ensign, 15 May 1918, Page 2

COST OF LIVING IN SYDNEY.

PKICKS STILL SOAKING

The Sydney ‘Sun’ of May 3 stated), that prices in Sydney are still soaring, Records being established in many lines. Then;- is all exceptionally strong demand for imported lines of groceries, but merchants state that they are unable to execute bail’ the orders received. For 71b bags of white pepper distributors asked the abnormal rate of ls| 13. j per II). Caraway seeds, which be- i • etc the war were available at 2s perl lb, -old to-day in small quantitit’s iti : 7s per lb. Cloves, winch in normal 1 times were s.-id at Is Cd. comma•nd> ,, l | 2s (id and ;,is per lb. Medium pearl j tapioca, brought 80s and seed 80s per. ■w r.. as c”mnare<{ with 22s Od and 28s | in 191-1. Dates were bard to obtain in j rpiantiiies. A few small lines were | picked up at 8-Jd and 9d per lb., as : against 8d and -fid four years ago. The high prices quoted for tinned fish, hate' restricted the demand. Scroll sai- j tlmtl in lilt Hat tins was held for 20s 1 Od and halves for l‘2s Bd. Karlnk t Horseshoe salmon in lib tali tins sold l at 10s 9d. American fresh herrings lead ■ business at 12s Od per dozen tins, lcin-( pared at, 15s Od, and those packed in i tomato sauce at 18s Od. Sardines in ; eighths realised (is 9d and quarters Ss 1 per dozen. These prices represenr an , increase of about 50 per cent, on those j ndmg prior to the war. There was a marked shortage of salt, | and distributors declined to sell more i 1 ban single bag lots. Heavy stocks were’ sa'd to be held up at Adelaide owing j to the dearth of shipping apace. 1 Japanese and Australian satt'ty_| marelies bad big business at Os 8d and j O.s TVd per gross. { CWeeiioiwry commodities were ('•■ mm t|., -,,i).-;.r- lifter. Imported gelatine. sold si, the record rate of -Is per lb, and 8d (ter ib was secured for desiccated cocoanut. In normal times it was always possible to secure cream of tartar at from Is Od to Is Sd, but In the wholesale chemical markets to-day the rate was •Is 8d per Ib for only small quantities. Citric acid four years ago was quoted at Is Od. bur to-day its value is given at 4s 2d net for parcels. The la test j. no don lunfntion is 8s 10d per lb, e.i.f. .and e. Tartaric acid in four years lias imreased from Is Od to 4s id per |b net. Pure Italian olive oil could be bought in any quantities in peace time at 12s Od per gallon, but to-day the wholesale j price for the small lots is 88s Od. Castor oil has been increased by 50 per cent. p. ](>s per gallon.