HOUSEHOLD BUDGETS

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 2, 15 January 1930, Page 2

HOUSEHOLD BUDGETS

COST OF LIVING INDEX. A GOVERNMENT COMPETITION. A competition is being organised by the Government Statistician, with cash prizes totalling £loo. It is open to all householders whose income does not exceed £7 per week, and involves the keeping of records of expenditure for the months of March, April, and May next.

The information is required by the Statistician for the purpose of compiling “Cost of Living” index numbers for comparison with those in other parts of the world.

At the three conferences of Labour statisticians under the auspices of the International Labour Office of the League of Nations, resolutions were passed urging all countries adhering to the League to prepare for a revision of their index numbers and adopt a uniform basis in 1930. New Zealand desires to give effect to these resolutions. Efforts in the past to induce householders to keen records for twelve months and for six months have proved that the response was not sufficient. It is therefore proposed on this occasion to ask for only three months’ record, and to offer a first prize of £2O, three prizes of £5, and fifteen of £l to householders in the North Island and similar prizes for the South Island.

Books in which the entries are to be made will be distributed in February next from the Census and Statistics Office, Wellington, and early application is desired. The information will be kept secret, and the competition will be judged primarily on the accuracy and good faith of the information given.