THE CENSUS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19970, 3 July 1930, Page 15

THE CENSUS.

POSTPONEMENT SCHEME. economy the only reason. [THE PBESB Special Service.] WELLINGTON, July 2. In introducing the Census Postponement Bill in the House of Representatives to-day, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, Minister in charge of the Statistician's Department, explained that by postponing the census which would or4inarily have taken place next February, it was hoped to save £25,000 on the current financial year's expenditure. "The Bill appears to be designed to postpone the census, and it will throw our records out for all time," said Mr J. McCorribs (Lab., Lyttelton), before the Minister explained the provisions of the measure. "We have not only got to think of the present day, but also of the future in regard to these statistical records. I know there are people who believe that these census records are of no great valbe, but they are not only of value to New Zealand but also to the rest of the British Empire, and to practically the rest of the world. The postponement might be' made from the viewpoint of economy, but it is a very mistaken policy. It will throw out our records which we have been building up over a long period of years, and make a break in records we should be proud to keep, in jfroper order." The Leader of the Opposition, the Eighty Hon. J. G. Coates, asked the Minister whether the postponement of the census would have an effect upon the rearrangement of the electoral boundaries. The readjustment of boundaries was made every five years after the statistical records had been revised, those relating to population naturally being of great importance to the recasting of the boundary lines. If the census were delayed it would be unnecessary for the Boundary Commission to sit at all.

The Minister Baid it was as well that he should make the position clear. The postponement of the census would affect the question of revising the electoral boundaries. The Bill was introduced in the interest of economy. It was common knowledge that the country had to economise in many directions, and it was anticipated that at least £25,000 would, be saved by delaying the census next year. The measure was a simple one, and in it there was provision for the taking of a census upon the issuing of a proclamation. No particular harm •was being done in the meantime. The Bill was introduced merely for economy purposes. Mr E. J. Howard (Lab., Christehurch South): Is it abolishing the census altogether? The Minister: No; it is merely putting it off. Mr W. Nash (Lab., Hutt): It will destroy comparative records. Th 6 Minister: At a time like this the saving of £25,000 is a big item. Mr McCombs: Why not abolish the office altogether, then? The Minister: There is no need for that. The Bill was read a first time.