Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.1.3. Correspondence, Letters to newspapers
1949 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Wicklow People, 15.01.1949
“Farm produce prices well maintained”
An article under the above heading was published in the Irish Independent of 5th January, 1949. It stated: “The prices of agricultural produce are maintaining themselves well, the index figure for November last being 261 compared with 100 in the year August, 1938, September, 1939, according to an official statement issued yesterday. The comparable figure for October, 1948, was 254 and for November, 1947, it was 242. There has, therefore, been an average of 19 points in the twelve months November, 1947, to November, 1948.”
In quoting the comparison of the Agricultural Price Index Figures and the Cost of Living figures as from the 1938/1939 level, it is very misleading as to the correct position of agricultural prosperity for the following reason: It must be remembered that farmers from 1930 to 1937 were getting prices almost 20 per cent below the 1914 level, while the cost of living during those years was around 50 per cent higher than the 1914 figure. In 1938/1939 years on which the agricultural price index is based, the cost of living was 74 per cent higher than 1914, whereas the agricultural price index was only 11 per cent higher than in 1914. In 1945 the cost of living had reached to 295 compared with 1914, whereas agricultural prices had reached only to 180 compared with 1914. The October, 1948, agricultural price index was 254 above the 1938/1939 base, or 233 compared with the 1914 base.
It is interesting to note that Section Ten of the Statistical Abstract of 1946 gives the following Table No. 238. Cost of Living Index based July, 1914: 100.
Year, 1947, February: All items increase 295.
Year, 1947, February: Food increase 271.
Year, 1947, February: Clothing increase 428.
Year, 1947, February: Fuel and light increase 298.
So you see food has not increased in price to the same extent as other items. Also it would show a more correct balance if the farmers cost of production was also published.