THE CENSUS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18672, 22 April 1926, Page 8

THE CENSUS.

FAVOURABLE COMMENT. STATISTICIAN SATISFIED. (epxaxL to "tkb raxss.") WELLINGTON, April 21. So far there is nothing but favourable comment in regard to this year's census schedules. The procedure is simplified, and there are fewer questions. There is thus less irritation on account of the inquisitiveness of the authorities, and there will bo no need for such returns as that once given by a Hawke's Bay farmer, who, in reference to stock, reported: One Jersey cow and one hydraulic ram! The Government Statistician (Mr Malcolm Fraser) expressed appreciation this morning of the pains most people seemed to nave taken in filling in their schedules correctly. After all, he remarked, the (Statistics Office was in the nature of a research laboratory, and there was no intention, in asking the personal questions which appeared on the papers, of prying into private affairs. It was a very commendable sign of the development of democracy when people realised that the information must be given in order to direct the destiny of the country. Census papers which are not collected to-day should be held until- the sub-enumerator calls for them. Householders are requested not to post or deliver their papers to the Census Office, as the organisation may be upset thereby. All papers will be called for. as the sub-enumerator has to account for every paper distributed. There is little fear, therefore, of houses being missed by the sub-enumerator in his rounds. Some people no doubt hesitated before filling in that section of the dwelling schedule which asked for the rental value of the house unfurnished, the paper contained no suggestion as to the basis of calculation. Those who are familiar with the provisions of the Rent Restriction Act probably made a computation at the rate of 8 per cent, on the capital value of the dwelling. Some people have felt that in order to ensure uniformity in the replies to , this query some explanation should have been given on the schedule as to the means of assessing the rental value. The Government Statistician explained this morning that it was intended to leave the matter at the discretion of the householder. The question was put in order to ascertain how people's ideas of the rental worfcii of their house compared with actual rentals being paid. It was noticeablo that the columns dealing with religion in the householder's family schedule did not give the same latitude in respect to replies which was afforded in previous census schedules. Formerly it was possible for a person to state that he was a Christian of no particular denomination. This time he had to state definitely to what church he belonged, his only alternative being to write the word "object" in reply to the question. It is gathered that it would have been sufficient for the purpose of the Statistics Office if the person filling in the form merely specified that he was a Christian.