COST OF LIVING

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11655, 20 October 1923, Page 6

COST OF LIVING

BACON FRIGES RISING SUPPLIES MUCH SHORTER THAN WAS EXPECTED. AUSTRALIA ON MARKET. Nothing affects tho housewife more than increases in the prices of daily commodities, household groceries and provisions, for it is these lines which most deeply affect the pockets of the working and middle-class people. Chatting *a well-known ..provision dealer, and later with the principal of a firm of bacon curers, a ‘ Times” reporter learned that the prices of the popular breakfast rasher had hardened considerably in tho last few days, and that a further riso in the course of a week ot two was not improbable. Towards the end of last week bacon in the piece advanced Id per lb, and this was followed by a further advance of 2d on Thursday. Ten days ago a piece weighing three pounds or more could be bought for Is Id per lb, but to-day the price is Is fid and Is 4d, while if sliced tho price is 2d a lb more: Not only that, but supplies are short and there is ©very reason to think that a further advance is in Eight. HEAVY' EXPORTATIONS. Hams which a few weeks ago could be obtained at Is and Is Id are now Is s|d and Is fid. and bams are more likely to be affected owing to the heavy purcha'Ses which have been made by Australia. Sides of bacon are fetching Is Id a lb wholesale, so that- Is 4d dees not leave a very large margin, and this is tho price of the best cuts. INCREASED CONSUMPTION. At the bacon factory the pressman was told that pork had gone up very much in the country, so much so that the rise in bacon did not cover it, and retail prices might advance another 2d in the near future. There had been heavy exportations to Australia, and although Australia was still on the maikob it was not likely that they would be willing to pay a higher price than was being obtained in New Zealand, so that no further large supplies were likely to go out of the country. There baa been an extreme shortage of pigs in the country, owing to the long wet winter. At the beginning of the last season it was thought there would have been a surplus of pigs, and contrary to expectations there had been a shortage. There had also been an increased consumption, which was probably due to the increase in population, and the fact that bacon was a very popular dish with English people. Present stocks are moderate, and although the new season is opening it wili be six weeks before fresh stocks are available. OTHER PROVISIONS. Butter and cheese are fairly stable at present prices, first grade butter at Is 8d and cheese at Is and Is Id. Regarding dried and tinned fruit supplies were fairly plentiful, but there was not much trade in New Zealand dried fruit, or even tinned fruit, as they oould not compete at present with Californian and Australian supplies, which were better in quality, and the price easier. The tea market is very firm at the moment, and though there was a decrease in duty a little time back ? had that not come about there would inevitably have been an increase in price to the public, owing to the hardening of the market. The reduction in duty saved the increase being made.