A VALUED OFFICER

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 50, 27 August 1932, Page 15

A VALUED OFFICER

CENSUS AND STATISTICS

MR. M. FRASER HONOURED

To appropriately mark his long service as Government Statistician and as a mark of the personal esteem in which ho is held, the staff of tho Census and Statistics Office- made a presentation on Thursday afternoon to Mr. M. Frascr, who a short time ago was appointed to the office of Under-Seeretary for Internal Affairs. The Minister of Internal Affairs (tho Hon. A. Hamilton), on behalf of the officers of the Department, presented to Mr. Praser a framed photograph of the staff, and to Mrs. Praser two. leather-upholstered lire stools.

In making the presentation, Mr. | Hamilton paid a tribute to Mr. Frascr as an efficient officer, and said he was appointed Government Statistician in March, 1911,, only three weeks before the night oiTwhich a census was to be taken. He had had no previous statistical or census experience, but plenty of courage and determination, which he displayed to the full in coping with a difficult and entirely new job Mr. Fraser had just carried the Census collection and tabulation to a successful conclusion when following the outbreak of the war he was askefi by the Government to undertake the preparation of a national register of men between IS and GO years of age. It was well known that that big job was done successfully and well. A year later the Government again called on him not only to compile and keep up to date a military service register, but also to frame and conduct a system of balloting for the supply of men to tho Expeditionary Forces. So well and with so little friction was that service carried out that Mr. Fraser was awarded tho honour of 0.8. E. Last but not least of Mr. Fraser's achievements was the initiation of the scheme Of unemployment relief, in which position, hampered as ho was by shortage of funds and a constantly and rapidly growing volume of unemployment, he rendered splendid service. In spite of all handicaps, Mr. Praser had built up from small foundations an excellent statistical service. The Minister concluded by wishing Mr. and Mrs. Fraser long life and prosperity, and by extending to Mr. J. W. Butcher (Mr. Praser's successor as Goverment Statistician) congratulations on his appointment. Mr. Butcher was an original member of the staff of the Census and Statistics Office on its creation, and his wide experience and his work generally was highly appreciated. Mr. Butcher and Mr. J. B. Black, chief clerk of tho Department, spoke of the large amount of work and energy which had always characterised Mr. Praser m the performance of his duties, and of the happy relations between him and his staff. DEPARTMENT'S MAIN OBJECT. In acknowledging the presentation, Sir. Fraser said it was with regret that ho left a staff which had rendered him loyal and efficient service over many years. The staff of the Department when ho assumed the position of Government Statistician numbered only ten, as against seventy-six to-day. The preparation and issue of statistics were of great value in the moulding and dovelopment of a, country, and he thought the statistical matter which the office presented in an easily understandable form well deserved the commendation, particularly from overseas, paid to it for the work done. Tho main aim of the Statistics Office was accuracy, and ho was pleased that that aim had been achieved.