XN000022-1973-02-08 — Page 3

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Thursday, February 8, 1973

"There is also a distinct shift from the use of firewood

and kerosine to the use of liquefied petroleum gas.

"As mass-produced goods improve in quality, there is a growing

market for ready-made clothes and durables like television sets, refrigerators

and furniture.

"The introduction of minibuses and cross-harbour tunnel buses

also affects the expenditure pattern of the population.

"In addition, more than a million people are now accommodated in

the public housing.

Patterns

"Such changes in the living and consumption patterns in recent

years will have a significant bearing on the new Consumer Price Index.

"And the purpose of compiling the new Index is to gain an insight

into the current living conditions in Hongkong," he added.

The new survey covers 3,600 randomly selected households whose

monthly expenditure ranges from $400 to $3,000.

The participating households, living on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon

and the Tsuen Wan township, had been given survey forms to record every

item of their daily expenditure.

They had been asked to itemised any amount they spend each day

and to maintain the record for one calendar month, the spokesman said.

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