THE COST OF LIVING

Otago Witness, Issue 3278, 10 January 1917, Page 25

THE COST OF LIVING

STRANGE VARIATIONS. How tho cost of food varies in the four centres is graphically shown in a table prepared by the Government Statistician. Since Julv, 1914 (before the war) as on November 15 last, Auckland groceries are 24.88 per cent, dearer; in Wellington, 27.59 per cent.; Christchurch, 20.65 ; and Dunedin, 23.87 per cent. It is amazing (says the Wellington Post), _ except to those in the trade, why groceries should bo 7 per cent, dearer in Wellington than in Christchurch, and why Dunedin should obtain its groceries 1 per cent. _ cheaper than Auckland. Dairy produce again has risen since tho 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 tho war is shown as 13.91 per cent, dearer in Auckland, while in Christchurch it is 28.60 per cent. How this difference of values is arrived at is a mystery to thoso_ unfamiliar with the meat trade. The variations in the percentage increases in smaller towns arc quite astonishing. For instance, New Plymouth shows a war-period rise of 12.05 per cent. in tho price of groceries, while Hamilton’s increase is 31.58. Dairy produce foodstuffs have risen by 8.11 per cent, in Taihane and 9.26 per cent, in Gore, while in Wanganui and Palmerston North they have advanced 24.36, and 26.14 per pent, respectively. Nelson’s meat cost 5.37 per cent, more than it did before the war. but tho butcher’s hill of tho residents of Waihi and Gisborne have advanced 42.22 per cent, and 54.88 per cent, respectively. Truly mysterious figures, those. Is the cost of distribution too heavy? Is competition too keen, 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 ruling on July 31, 1914. in the four centres, show ns under;—

Increase. Increase. Increase. Julv. Jill V, Xov., MIG. 1916. • cent. per cent. A ",cV\ >.54 21.23 Well in j 4.77 >.31 20.37 T.’hrist{ i ' 5.07 21.21 Dnned ■. 11.13 22,34 Domin aver, ,i>* 12.15 13.25 22.71