The cost of living index continued its almost uninterrupted climb last month and hit a new high of 259, the Treasury reported. The index is computed with September, 1951 as the base of 100.
Despite efforts by the government, through subsidies of basic foodstuffs, the index rose from 250 last December to 254 in January and 259 by the end of February. If the trend is not stemmed by April 15, a new series of wage increases will go into effect, and will almost certainly set in motion further price spirals.
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