TREND OF PRICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23352, 18 November 1937, Page 2

TREND OF PRICES

RISE IN FOOD GROUPS HEAVY FALL IN SKINS Irregular movements in prices in September are revealed by the price indices issued in the current number of the Abstract of Statistics. The retail prices index (base: 1926-30 equals 1000) for the three food groups rose 20 points during September, and stood at the close of the month at 976, each of the groups exhibiting a continued upward tendency. The greatest increase occurred m the meat group which rose from 1007 to 1038. while the influence of potato prices was mainly responsible for raising the groceries index 20 points from 947 to 967. When the September indices for food and for fuel and light are combined with the August indices for the remaining groups, an all-groups index of 934 is obtained, which is 7 points above that for August and 48. i per cent, above the 191' 1 level. The wholesale prices index (base: 1909-13 equals 1000) fell one point from 1525 to 1524 in September A fall of five points in the “locally produced' group was partially counteracted by a rise of three points in the group for “ imported commodities." No individual item exercised a preponderant influence. nnn The export prices index (base: 190913 equals 1000) exhibited an increase of eight points from 1451 to 1459, a number of conflicting movements in the various groups combining to produce this result. The principal fluctuations were:—lncreases: Dairy produce (butter and cheese), 52 points; minerals, 51 points. Decreases: Other pastoral produce, 173 points (all hides and skins): timber, 304 points.