COST OF LIVING FIGURES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 33

COST OF LIVING FIGURES.

MONTHLY ABSTRACT OF STATISTICS. , WELLINGTON, March 6. Variations in the cost of living figures are set out in the latest Monthly Abstract ’of- Statistics. The retail price index (Dominion weighted average) for the three food groups as at January 15 was 1558 (on the base average prices in the four centres during the years 1909-13 equal 1000), an increase of one point as compared with that for the previous month, and of 45.6 per cent, over that for July, 1924. The index number for the groceries , group has decreased one point. High prices were ruling for potatoes in the South Island, but the peak had been passed in the North, and prices were ialling. The dairy produce index number records a fall of six points. Bacon and butter again show a slight reduction in most towns. The meat group, the index number for which is two points less than that for the previous month, has altered little. Minor fluctuations have taken place in the prices of beef and mutton. The abstract explains that the expenditure on food constitutes somwhat less than two-fifths of the expenditure of the average household. In order to present a more complete picture of the movements in retail prices generally the statistics regarding the retail prices of cloth ing, drapery, footwear, and miscellaneous items of family expenditure are collected at quarterly intervals, and when combined with the indices for food, rent, fuel, and light approximately 87 per cent, of the average household expenditure is represented. The January price index for fuel and light on the base average of the years 1909-13 was 1875, a decrease of two points on December. 1927. The January indices for food, fuel, and light have been combined with the November indices for the clothing and miscellaneous groups, and the August index for rent. The. re suitant all groups index is 61.8 per cent, above that for July, 1914, so that it now takes £1 12s 4d on the average to purchase what could be purchased for £1 in that month.