The economy of the six New England states expanded swiftly during 1972, with 67,000 jobs being added, which moved the job total close to the previous record of 1969. A slowdown was observed in the rise of both prices and wages in New England under Phase II of the Economic Stabilization Program. However, retail food prices rose four times as much as in 1971, soaring locally by 43 percent in the past decade and 95 percent since 1947. At wholesale, the price gains of industrial commodities have slackened, except for leather and lumber products. The average weekly earnings for factory workers reached a new high to nearly $148, although wage advances tapered off because of the Stabilization Act. Union participation and time lost due to strikes are below the national average. Of the jobs added in New England, 24,000 were in the region's factories and 43,000 in nonmanufacturing work. (Author/AG)