XN000022-1973-06-19 — Page 3

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Tuesday, June 19, 1973

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX RISES THREE POINTS IN MAY

The General Consumer Price Index for May was 157

three points

higher than that for the previous month.

The Census and Statistics Department said that the increase was due

mainly to a rise of six points in the Index for foodstuffs.

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However, the index for clothing and footwear went up by four points,

while there were increases of two points each in the indexes for miscellaneous

goods and for services.

Compared with April this year, there were increases in the average

retail prices of salt and fresh water fish, poultry, fresh vegetables, frozen,

tinned and roast meat and meals bought in restaurants. On the other hand, the

average retail prices of pork and beef dropped slightly.

For non-food items, the index for housing was raised by one point as

a result of an increase in the rates charged on all former housing authority

and government low cost housing estates. The index for services went up by

two points, due to higher charges for domestic service and hairdressing.

The Modified Consumer Price Index for May was 162, three points higher

than that for the previous month.

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