THE COST OF LIVING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue 13047, 9 January 1917, Page 4

THE COST OF LIVING.

" STRANGE VARIATIONS.

How the cost of food varies in the 'four 'centres is graphically shown in a table prepared by the Government Statistician: Since July, 1914: (before, the war) as on November 15 last, Auckland groceries are 24.88 per cent, dearer; in Wellington. 27.59 per .cent.; Christchurcli, .20.65; and Duiiedin, 23,87 per cent. It is amazing (says the.Wellington Post), except to those in the trade, why. groceries should be 7 per cent dearer in Wellington than in Christ, church, and why Dunedin should obtain its groceries 1 "per cent, cheaper than Auckland. Dairy produce again has risen since the war 28.08 per cent, in Auckland, and that is 15.18 per cent, higher than .in, Wellington, where the rise is but 12.90, per, cent on pre-war rates, according to these, figures. Meat, again, since the war is shown as 13.91 per cent, dearer in Auckland, while in Christchurch it is 28.60 per cent. How tlris difference of values, is arrived at is a. mystery to. those, unfamiliar with the meat trade. The variations in the percentage increases in smaller towns arc quite astonishing. Tor instance, New Plymouth shows a war-period rise of 12-!05 pel- cent, in the price of groceries, while Hamilton's increase is 31.58. Dairy produce foodstuffs have risen by 8.11 per cent, in Taihape and 9.36 per cent, in Gore, while in W 7 anganui and' Palmerston North they have advanced. 24.36 and 26.14 per cent, respectively. Nelson's meat cost 5.37 per cent, more than it did before the war, but the. butcher's bills of the residents of Waihi and Gisborne have increased 42.22 per cent, and 54.88 per cent respectively. Truly mysterious figures, these. T& the cost of distribution too heavy, or is there not enough competition? The consumer,- as such, is naturally left in a quandary on perusing these figures.' The increases in July, 1915, July ? 1916, and November, 1916, over the. prices riding on July 31, 1914, in the four centres, show as under :—.-';

c |, -S sS-h grHg §'-1 £ £-£ u §>" t- t. ~ S'P CJ E X O *" H r? fr , ; '"" £ ft Auckland ... "9.Z2 19.5-1 21.28 Wellington ... 34.77 20.31 20.87 Christehureh 9.53 16.97 24.21 Duncdin ... 13.05 - 18.43 22.1)1 Dominion, ar. 12:15 19.25 22.71