NEW CENSUS QUESTIONS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29273, 3 August 1960, Page 15

NEW CENSUS QUESTIONS

Two Suggestions By Planners

Two new questions in the census next April to assist planning and other organisations to analyse migration trends in New Zealand and to analyse vehicle ownership have been submitted to the Government Statistician for his approval by the Christchurch Regional Planning Authority. The population of the Christchurch urban area had, for many years, increased at a faster rate than the population of the Canterbury province, yet, at successive censuses, it had shown a reduced proportion of the total New Zealand population, said a report to the authority yesterday. A knowledge of the numbers and origins of people moving into Christchurch and the numbers and destinations of those leaving would help to provide a basis for assessing trends .which might be expected to continue. The second suggested question deals, with motor-cars and station waggons, light vans, motor and power cycles and pedal cycles (of which in Christchurch “there are upwards of 100,000”) garaged at or in the vicinity of the dwelling for the use of' the occupants, and whether or not owned by the occupants. Many vehicles registered by firms were available to and garaged by employees and principals for what amounted, in many ways, to their personal use, said the report. Many light vans were thought to be in use for personal transport in a similar way to motor-cars.