AND ON THE CONTINENT.
137
Prices of meat in the shops of the Co-operative Society atDanven were the following, and are approximately the same in thewhole of Lancashire : —
1S83 ...
Beef, per lb.
X > enee.
8(-
Mutton, per iiFence.
!>4
1884 ...
8
9
1885 ...
8*
9J
188(i ...
7£
:>:!
1887 ...
7
S
1888 ...
7J
S4
1889 ...
8
■4
1890 ...
ii
1891 ...
y
101
These figures are, however, average values, in which very differentprices are included. For instance, in England , even in the co-operative stores, extremely variable prices are paid, according tothe quality of the piece. Thus, during the last few years, legs ofmutton and beefsteaks cost Is. per lb., against which the prices ofordinary but good pieces of beef and mutton and pork were asfollows (all in the same Co-operative Stores at Darwen) : —
Beef.
Mutton.
Fork.
Fence.
Fence.
Fence.
1888 ...
... ii* ...
... 74 ...
7
1889 ...
... 7
... 84 ...
8
1890 ...
... 5-J ...
... 84 ...
8
1891 ...
... 55 ...
... 8f ...
8
Pieces of lower quality were sold at 4d. On the average Id. perlb. is paid back as dividend.
I also add, as well, the following retail prices, also co operativesociety’s average figures :—
Su^ar, per lb. Butler, per lb.
Pence. s. il.
1870 ... ... (734 . .
18811 ... ... 374 1 1
1890 ... ... 3-51 1 2
1891 ... ... 2-99 1 3
What has been said shows an extraordinary cheapening of themost important necessaries during the course of the century (13).
Just as favourably stands the English operative to-day comparedwith his Continental brother. The following comparison refers tothe same week in February, 1892; it concerns the prices of foodin Chemnitz and in Hyde (near Manchester, occupied exclusively in
13. Compare Porter : “ Progress of the Nation,” p. 043, and Giffen.