Startling Increase

Fiji's Cost Of Living

Suva, Jan. 5.

AT the opening of 1948, the cost of living is an overwhelming preoccu pation in Fiji.

On January 1, the Suva cost-of-living index figure was 204, indicating a rise of 104 per cent, since August, 1939. For the island of Viti Levu, excluding Suva, the figure was 229, representing a rise of 129 per cent.

This is the first occasion in Suva, since the outbreak of the Second World War (or any other period) that the percen tage increase has gone over 100: but in the rest of Viti Levu it was over 100 on January 1, 1944 (115). and it has fluc tuated from 106, on January 1, 1947, to 121 on October 1. The present figure, however, represents a new high record.

The Commissioner of Labour (Mr, C.

S.. Reay) points out that the rises in the index figures which, like all pre vious figures issued by the Labour De partment in connection with the cost of living and wages adjustments, are based on the estimated living expenses of In dian workmen are due to increases in the prices of food, clothing and other essentials. For the Indians, the soaring price of sharps is responsible for more than half the rise in the index numbers. (For non-Indians, the price of flour has risen by an equivalent amount). The sharp rise in tobacco has also had a marked effect.

The process is still going on. To-day, the controlled price of locally-made bis cuits went up another sd. a pound, mak ing the retail prices of the three most commonly used lines 10Jd.. lid. and l/oi.

On January 2 petrol went up Id. to 3/1 a gallon, and lubricating oils bv 3d. to 9/- a gallon; and on December 24 bread went up Id. to lOd. for a 11-lb. loaf in v *ti Levu and Ovalau, and Iosd. else where.

Europeans Hit On December 31. officially-released figures showed that the cost of living for a European family on an income of be tween £4OO and £6OO per annum in 1939, had risen 5.5 per cent, in the last quarter nf 1947, making an increase of nearlv 70 per cent. sirifce the outbreak of war Monthly expenditure for food in August. 1939, was estimated at £l4/15/-: in December, 1947, it was £22/8/-. Clothing rose from £6/15/- to £l7/14 9. and kitchen and eating utensils from 16 8 to £2/5/9.

Simultaneously with the rises in con trolled prices, the cost of uncontrolled foodstuffs and other commodities has aone to an outrageous level. As a corol lary, the Medical Department is bewailing the alarming increase in malnutrition among children, and the undermining of Fijian health and phvsique, particularly in the larger centres of population.