XN000022-1977-11-23 — Page 11

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TWO BILLS PASSED

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1977

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY PASSED TWO BILLS INTO LAW.

THESE WERE THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, AND THE CROWN RIGHTS (RE-ENTRY AND VESTING REMEDIES) (AMENDMENT BILL 1977.

FOUR OTHER BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.

THESE ARE THE CRIMINAL. PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977, THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1977, THE LAW REVISION (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1977 AND THE WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1977.

OCTOBER COST OF LIVING GOES UP

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THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES (A) AND (B) FOR LAST MONTH EDGED UP ONE POINT TO 120 COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH.

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS IN OCTOBER WAS ONE POINT HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS MONTH IN C.P.I. (A) AND WAS UNCHANGED IN C.P.I. (B) WHEN ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST WHOLE POINT.

THE AVERAGE RETA IL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES ADVANCED OWING TO REDUCED LOCAL SUPPLY. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF SALT WATER FISH DECLINED DUE TO INCREASED SUPPLY.

LOWER PRICES FOR APPLES, GRAPES AND BANANAS CAUSED THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH FRUITS TO FALL.

MOVEMENTS IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF THE OTHER FOOD ITEMS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

HIGHER SCHOOL FEES AND TEXT-BOOK PRICES PUSHED THE INDEX FOR SERVICES UP EY 3 POINTS IN C.P.I. (A) AND BY 2 POINTS IN C.P.I. (E).

PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

THE C.P.I.'(A) 13 BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE OF HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $400 - $1,499 A MONTH AND THE C.P.1. (E) EETWEEN $1,500 32,999 A MONTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITUPE SURVEY, 1973/74.

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