STILL INCREASING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16034, 27 January 1920, Page 9

STILL INCREASING.

COST OP LIVING IN WANGANUI

A fairly substantial increase in the cost of living (food commodities) is recorded ’in the last issue of the abstract of Statistics just to hand for Wanganui, between November and December. For instance, in groceries, there was an increase of 45 points in a month, equivalent to an increase of 40.52 per cent. This increase brings the increase in local prices at present charge to 64.52 per cent, more than they were in pre-war days. The weighted average for the Dominion is 61.18 per cent., an increase from 57.60 per cent, for October. Nearly the same increase occurred in the dairy produce section, the increase being 41 points. For commodities included in this section, Wanganui householders are now paying 49.12 per cent, more than they did in pre-war days. The increase for the month was equal to 4.01 per cent. The Dominion weighted average was 42.95 per cent., an increase of 1.61 per cent, for the month.

The same story is told 'with regard to meat; here, however, the increase amounted to 160 points, equal to 14.81 per cent. Prices for this necessary food axe now 64.81 per cent, higher than they were in 1914. The weighted average for the Dominion was 49.16 per cent. The month previous it was 47.03 per cent.

Taking three food groups combined, the publication shows that the increase for Wanganui was 83 points, equal to 8.06 per cent. In terms of percentages, the local increase since the outbreak of wax can be stated as 61.07 per cent. The Dominion weighted average for the same period is 52.80 per cent. For the previous month it was 50.09 per cent., an increase of 2.81 per cent.