COMMODITIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 12 March 1936, Page 8

COMMODITIES

MOVEMENTS DURING JANUARY The retail price index (base: 132630 equals 1000) for all groups for January registered a fall of 5 points—from 845 to 840—as compared with that for the previous month a decrease of 57 points or 6 per cent., in the groceries group —due to considerably lower prices for potatoes and onions—being partially counteracted by an increase of 13 points in the dairy produce group—clue to higher prices for butter. The index for the meat group remained unaltered, reports the Government Statistician. The wholesale price index (base: 1909-13 equals 1000) for all groups fell from 1414 to 1405, this result having been brought- about by a number of divergent variations in the different groups. Agricultural produce recorded a fall of 281 points—duo, as in the retail index, principally to the price of jiotntoes—while the meat and wool, hides, etc., groups showed considerable increases.

The export price index (base: 190913 equals 1000) for all groups registered an increase of 37 points, the group principally responsible being those for dairy produce, wool, and minerals. The timber group was the only one to show anv considerable decline.

The share price index (base: 1926 equals 1000) rose 12 points—from 1016 to 1028 —and is now at the level of August last, and 5 points above the index for the year 1935.