Spending and production have slowed in recent months. Total spending for goods and services, which rose 8 per cent during 1966, increased at an estimated 2 per cent rate from the fourth quarter last year to the first quarter this year. Government outlays continued to grow, but private spending, particularly by consumers, recorded some declines. Retail sales decreased at a 1 per cent annual rate from September to February after going up 8 per cent in the previous year.