COST OF LIVING

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 433, 14 May 1937, Page 4

COST OF LIVING

FOOD AND CLOTHING Substantial Increase A continuous rise,-since 1934, in tho cost of living in New Zealand Is revealed in the latest “Abstract of Statistics.” Prices of food, clothing, fuel and light and housing have all mounted steadily. Over the past few months Chis movement has accelerated. Over the past three years the aver, age increase in the prices of tall these groups' of necesfties is given as approximately 30 per cent —moving up between 1934 and Ithe end of last year from 29 per cent to 38 per cent of the level of prices in 1914. The increase in the three food groups—groceries, dairy produce, and meat —is estimated at 11 per cent, the added: cost being fairly evenly divided 'among the three groups. Rent shows a slightly smaller advance, while the estimated rise in cost of elefthing, drapery and footwear is hardly appreciably , Fuel and light is up about 5 per cent. All round living costs have risen at a faster pace during the opening months of this year. The percentage increase over 1914 prices is given as 43 per cent for February. This compares with 33.8 per cent tor February last year, and 31.5 per cent for February, 1935. In February’ the Index of'prices for both the clothing and footwear, and the rent groups in Wellington, passed the 1000 mark for the first time In six years. In Auckland the fuel and light price Index reached the highest fig. ure since 1921.