XN000022-1974-03-19 — Page 4

3

Tuesday, March 19, 1974

FEBRUARY G.C.¡ I. UP FOUR POINTS

********

The General Consumer Price Index for February 1974 was 183,

four points higher than that for the previous month.

This was due mainly to an increase of eight points in the

index for foodstuffs.

The index for fuel and light advanced by 12 points while the

index for durable goods advanced by two points.

Rises of one point each were recorded in the index for housing,

the index for miscellaneous goods and the index for transport and vehicles.

On the other hand, the index for services dropped by three

points. Movements in the indexes for other sections of commodity were

insignificant.

Compared with the previous month, there were increases in the

average retail prices of rice, fresh water fish, pork, beef, poultry,

eggs and meals bought away from home. On the other hand, the average

retail prices of salt water fish and fresh vegetables dropped.

As to non-food items, the rise in the index for fuel and light

was attributable to increased charges for electricity and higher prices

for kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas. The index for services was

lowered as a result of reduced charges for hairdressing after the Chinese

New Year Festival.

14