PRICES AND WAGES

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1932, Page 16

PRICES AND WAGES

WHOLESALE AND RETAIL MOVES.

STATISTICAL SURVEY. The general index number of export prices for the month of September was 87Z (on base 1909-13 A 1000)—a slight •increase when compared with the August figure, reports the Government Statistician. Aw improvement in butter, cheese and wool prices was partially although not wholly offset by a fall in export prices of meat. The September index for all groups combined shows a fall of 12.3 per cent, as compared with the average export prices ruling during 1909-13 and 19.5 per cent, when compared with 1914 export prices. The “all groups” wholesale price index number (on base 1909-13 == 1000) rose from 1299 in August to 1302 in September, the main cause of this slight upward, movement being a seasonal increase in onion prices, while the recovery in wool prices was also a contributing factor. In recent months wholesale prices have been fairly stable, the general index fluctuating between 1307 in April and 1299 in June, July and August. In September of last year the index was 1323—21 points higher than the corresponding figure for September, 1932. Retail food prices continue to fall, a seasonal increase in the groceries index number being more than counterbalanced by further decreases in the dairy pioducts and meat indices. The index number for the three food, groups combined was, ou September 15, 7.8 per cent, above the July, 1914, level. The “all groups’ ’index for September was exactly the same as the August figure—3o.7 per cent, above the July, 1914, figure. The index number of money wage nates for September, 1932, is 1397 (on base 1914 = 1000). In the compilation of the index number for September ruling rates of wages have been ascertained' and incorporated, in the index in cases where awards have been cancelled and no agreement as to minimum rates of wages has yet been arrived at by the employers and employees. The September, 1932, index represents a decrease of 16.1 per cent. as compared with the average index for the year 1030.