CONSUMPTION IN CANADA—DAVIDSON, 29. 
It is, unfortunately, not possible to compare the quantities 
consumed of the articles enumerated with their retail prices to 
ascertain exactly the relation between prices and consumption. 
Where prices have fallen, it is generally assumed that the whole- 
sale prices have fallen further and more rapidly than retail prices, 
though, in the case of sugar, all but the very poorest who may 
buy in very small quantities have benefitted to the full extent of 
the fall. Where prices have risen, retail prices may have risen 
higher than wholesale, or not so far, according to circumstances. 
Tobacco has probably risen higher in retail price than in whole- 
sale ; but the dealers in cigarettes last year were not able to raise 
prices to follow the wholesale price. The following comparison, 
however, is with Montreal wholesale prices as stated in the 
Statistical Year Book, 1896 :— 
CONSUMPTION AND PRICES. 
COFFEE SUGAR. TEA. TOBACCO. SPIRITS. 
A ae || an aw a= Fi 
Bee sate |e | a gee | eee 
ed | See | Se Nem ele Pa (pees ep ore 
a2 ies sa | & S| Be | tS ee = 
are 8 a S a 5 a 8 ae 8 
1380) -4 -|27 cts.| 26 |104cts| 2.7 5] 1.94 |54 cts | 0.71 | $1 50 
1ssi| .47 |25 3h) LG 3.8 52 | 203 |554 | 9.92 1.60 | 
1882} .71 |23 20 | 93 AS Sie | Ona [57s LOL) 1.60 
1883/ -6 !22 34 | 9 410) 5 DOS) [Az 1.09 | 1.60 
1884| .53 |21 Bis I 3 3.8 51 2.48 |534 1.00 ; 1.60 
1885! .94 |20 43° 17 AO | Sl) 627151 S| 167 
1886; .85 19 38 | 6 4.9 | 49 | 2.05 133 Cerlh sl) alacit 
1887| .41 [24 AS G62 SS. 43> 9.06515) 075] 181 
18ss| .6 |25 430°) 7 a7 aoe 2 097 la) 064 | 181 
1889} .66 |26 AT es S6rl 45, elo jal Os73) t 183 
1890} -66 |26 35 | 62 | SiS 45a) 2,14 |p 0.88 | 1.84 
1891; .69 |27 40 | 6 3.7 | 42 | 229 [53% 0.74 | 2.48 
1892| .73 |29 Gori 4 eae 24 | 39 | 2.29 |56 C.70 | 288 
1893] .77 |29 ei | 43% | 3.6 | 38% | 231 [543 | 0.74| 2.58 
1894, .7 (28 61 | 475 4.1 | 38% | 2.96 [533 0.74 | 251 
1895| .72 |27 70 | 4 4.0 | 353 | 2.16 |56 ONGH| CAG 
1896} .70 |26 | 47 | 48 | 44 | 33% | 2.12 [56 0.62 | 268 
fe eae) a | 
