COST OF LIVING.

Northern Advocate, 3 January 1922, Page 8

COST OF LIVING.

FOOD PRICES COMING DOWN * "The index number for the three food groups as at November 15 last (Donnnian weighted average) is 1G25, a decrease of 49 points as compared with tbe previous month's - figure (1(574), and an increase of 51.87 per cent, as compared ijvith that for July, 19 L 4." states the latest issue of the Monthly Abstract of Statistics. "A fall, of 57 points in the grocenos -group is accounted for mainly by a considerable fall in sugar, golden syrup, and treacle in most towns. This fall has been counteracted to some extent by a'rise in the price of potatoes, duo to the fact that new potatoes arc b ; :hig sold in most places to a greater exunc than old potatoes. -'In' the dairy products group a fall of 57 points is due to an all-round decrease in the prices of butter and cheese. "A fall of 32 points in the meat group is due mainly to a decline in the prices of beef and mutton in several towns."

The Statistician publishes a table in v-'hich he shows the relative increases in the retail prices of food since July, 1014, in some of the principal countries of the world. The country with the smallest percentage increase is Sout,h Africa, where an increase of only 34 per cent, was registered in August of this year. The United States is next with a 50 per cent, increase in September last; and New Zealand is third lowest 'with a percentage increase in November last of 52 per cent. The rise of prices in the United Kingdom is shown as 100 per cent, up to November Finland has seen it shoot up to .1178 I>er' cent. The figures for Russia are jßot available.' .