XN000022-1978-09-24 — Page 5

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1978

HIGHER COST OF LIVING IN AUGUST

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THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES (A) AND (B) FOR LAST MONTH (AUGUST) WERE BOTH 127, EACH TWO POINTS HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS MONTH.

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS ADVANCED EY FOUR POINTS IN C.P.I. (A) AND BY THREE POINTS IN C.P.I. (B).

ADVERSE WEATHER ASSOCIATED WITH THE SEVERE TROPICAL STORM ELAINE CAUSED THE AVERAGE PRICES OF SALT-WATER FISH AND FRESH VEGETABLES TO RISE SUBSTANTIALLY, AS SOME RESTAURANTS AND EATING-PLACES RAISED THE IR PRICES, THE AVERAGE CHARGES FOR MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME ALSO ROSE.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH FRUITS DECLINED WITH LOWER PRICES FOR PEARS, GRAPES AND WATER-MELONS. MOVEMENTS IN RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES INCREASED BY ONE POINT IN C.P.I. (A) AND BY TWO POINTS IN C.P.I. (B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER FARES CHARGED BY PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND HIGHER PRICES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

A RISE OF ONE POINT WAS RECORDED IN THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS IN BOTH C.P.1, (A) AND (B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES FOR OTHER HOUSEHOLD GOODS. THE INDEX FOR SERVICES ALSO WENT UP BY ONE POINT IN C.P.1. (A) DUE TO HIGHER CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING.

ON THE OTHER HAND, LOWER COST OF FUEL OIL BROUGHT ELECTRICITY RATES FOR AUGUST DOWN. AS A RESULT THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT DECREASED BY ONE POINT IN BOTH C.P.1. (A) AND (B).

PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INSIGNIFICANT. THE C.P.I. (A) IS BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM HOUSEHOLD SPENDING BETWEEN $400 $1,499 A MONTH AND THE C.P.I. (B) BETWEEN $1,500 - $2,999 A MONTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPEND | TÜRE SURVEY IN 1973/74.

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