XN000022-1975-04-24 — Page 4

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THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 1975

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO COST MORE LAST MONTH

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AN INCREASE OF 12 POINTS WAS RECORDED IN THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO IN MARCH DUE MAINLY TO THE HIGHER DUTIES IMPOSED ON THESE ITEMS OF COMMODITIES. ACCORDING TO THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY.

THE NEW CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) COVERING FAMILIES

IN THE $400-$1,499 MONTHLY EXPENDITURE BRACKET AND THE

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (B) COVERING FAMILIES WITH A MONTHLY EXPENDITURE OF BETWEEN $1,500 AND $2,999 WERE BOTH 106, ONE POINT LOWER THAN THAT FOR FEBRUARY.

DURING THE MONTH, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES FOR RICE, SALT WATER FISH, FRESH WATER FISH, LIVE POULTRY AND FRESH VEGETABLES, BUT THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF PORK HAD ADVANCED.

AS A RESULT OF THE HIGHER CHARGES FOR TELEPHONE SERVICES, THE INDEX FOR SERVICES FOR THE MONTH HAD ALSO GONE UP.

MOVEMENTS IN THE INDEXES FOR OTHER SECTIONS OF COMMODITY WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

THE GENERAL CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR MARCH WAS 184,

MONTH. POINTS LOWER THAN THAT FOR THE PREVIOUS

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