LOWER RETAIL PRICES

Otago Witness, Issue 3571, 22 August 1922, Page 26

LOWER RETAIL PRICES

FALLING BY POINTS. The Government Statistician in comparing Jaly retail prices for groceries, meat, and dairy produce notes a fall of 24 points—viz., from 1552 to 1528—as compared with those for June. The increase in price*, however, is still 43.80 per cent, at tho prices current ill July. 1914. Falls of 24 points in groceries, 31 in dairy produce, including eggs, and of 19 points -in the price of meat arc recorded. “In some cases,” he remarks, “the fall in the price of eggs was counteracted by a rise in the price of butter.” Slight falls in potatoes, flour, and sugar have taken place, in some towns. First-grade butter during June averaged Is 6jrd, and cheese Bjd per pound in all four centres; but butter was lowest in Auckland —viz.. Is 5Jd —and highest in Wellington, Is 8d; cheese sold in Auckland down to s|d, but in Wellington at 9d, or 3jd pier pound more. In Christchurch it was 9EI. Milk ranged from 5d to 7d per quart; bread, 6d to 7j.d per four-pound loaf; eggs, Is 9fd to 3s per dozen. Coal, 14s to 22s 4Jd per quarter ton, with quotations of 7s 6d at Alexandra and Us at Greymouth, and 3s 3d at Gore for lignite There were variations of over 5d per cent, iu the price cf potatoes, Tainape ar.d Gisborne quoting Is 6d for 141 b. many other places Is to Is 3d—Dunedin lljd : cooking apples 2d to 5d per pound; cabbages, 4a to Is 3d. according to localitv.