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 beneh'tted 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. 18U6 : 



CONSUMPTION AND PRICES. 



