NEED FOR STATISTICS

Northern Advocate, 27 November 1937, Page 4

NEED FOR STATISTICS

During the recent dispute between the Government and the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation over the effect of higher overhead costs on certain manufacturing industries which have to meet foreign competition, the Christchurch “ Press” pointed out that if accurate and up-to-date statistics had been available much fruitless and bad-tempered argument might have been avoided. In the case of the boot industry, where the effects of foreign competition were alleged to be particularly severe, the-lat-est available statistics were for the year ended March 31, 1937. These showed that during this period the industry w T as at a peak of production, but since they were nearly six months out of date; the boot manufacturers could claim that their complaints had not been answered. It would appear, however, that the dearth of statistical information about manufacturing is far more serious than the “Press” had supposed. The annual report of the Department of Industries and Commerce, presented to Parliament this week, contains the amazing statement that “the latest available statistics relating to the manufacturing industries of the Dominion are for the year ended March 31, 1936.” Presumably. it is only for a few industries that there are statistics relating to the year ended March 31, 1937. Considering that the cost structure of industry is altering rapidly, that the manufacturers have been promised protection against overseas eompeti-l tion commensurate with the rise in costs, and that the Government has established elaborate administrative machinery for the “planning” of secondary production, it will be agreed that this absence of relevant data is alarming. It can only mean that measures taken now for the protection of rationalisation of secondary industry are steps in the dark. ■For this lack of essential knowledge, says the “Press,” the present Government may not he entirely or even mainly to blame. During the depression, the Government Statistician’s Office was subjected to some regrettable and shortsighted economies; and it is not possible to reorganise a statistical service in a few months. But the absence from the report of the Department of Industries and Commerce of any indication that th eweakness is being remedied, or indeed of any recognition that the weakness exists, is disquieting.