XN000022-1978-10-24 — Page 2

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1978

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR SEPTEMBER

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THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) FOR LAST MONTH (SEPTEMBER) WAS 126, DOWN BY ONE POINT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH. THE INDEX (B) REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 127.

THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS FELL BY TWO POINTS IN C.P.I.(A) AND BY ONE POINT IN C.P.I.(B).

THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF FRESH VEGETABLES DECLINED DUE TO MORE FAVOURABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

AS SOME RESTAURANTS AND EATING-PLACES RAISED THEIR PRICES, THE AVERAGE CHARGES FOR MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME WENT UP. MOVEMENTS IN RETAIL PRICES OF OTHER FOOD ITEMS WERE INSIGNIFICANT.

THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES ADVANCED BY THREE POINTS IN C.P.I.(A) AND BY ONE POINT IN C.P.I.(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS FARES, SCHOOL BUS FARES AND DRIVING INSTRUCTORS' FEES.

AS A RESULT OF HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PRIVATE DWELLINGS, THE INDEX FOR HOUSING INCREASED BY TWO POINTS IN C.P.I.(A) AND BY ONE POINT IN C.P.I.(B).

THE TWO-POINT RISE IN THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS IN BOTH C.P.I.(A) AND C.P.I.(B) WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIGHER PRICES FOR TELEVISION SETS, SOUND EQUIPMENT, ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES AND WATCHES.

RISES OF ONE POINT EACH WERE RECORDED IN THE INDEXES FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS, TOBACCO AND MISCELLANEOUS GOODS IN BOTH C.P.1. (A) AND C.P.I.(B) OWING TO HIGHER PRICES FOR CIGARETTES, MEDICINES, TOYS AND GENUINE JEWELLERY.

THE INDEX FOR SERVICES ALSO ROSE BY ONE POINT IN C.P.I.(B) DUE TO HIGHER CHARGES FOR DOMESTIC HELP, HAIRDRESSING AND REPAIRS TO PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS.

PRICE MOVEMENTS IN OTHER COMMODITY SECTIONS WERE INS IGN IF ICANT.

THE C.P.I.(A) IS BASED ON WEIGHTS DERIVED FROM HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $400 - $1,499 A MONTH AND THE C.P.I.(B) BETWEEN $1,500 - $2,999 A MONTH IN THE HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY IN 1973/74.

THE SECTION.....