CENSUS PAPERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23260, 23 July 1945, Page 4

CENSUS PAPERS

' Many New Questions | Set Down Standard Household Amenities I (N.Z.P.A.i WELLINGTON, July 21. A noteworthy change in the I coming census—the disappearance of the large householders’ schedule I —was mentioned by the Minister I in (.barge of the Census and Statistics (the Hon. W. Nash) in a statement to-day. "This schedule," said Mr Nash, "was used for families while all others used personal schedules. The householders' schedule has outlived its use- > fulness and is now impracticable. In : place of tills there are two small | schedules, dwelling and personal. | "The dwelling schedule concerns onlv the occupier or person in charger of the dwelling, and its questionnaire | | relates to the dwelling itself. The questions of the last census, namely ( location, type, tenure, etc., are retain- , ed. New ouestions on electricity, run- | ning water, hot water services, bath- | rooms, etc., are designed to ascertain information regarding these standard household amenities. "Other questions relate to distance i from shops, primary schools, and transport services. Housing is one of the most serious and pressing problems, and this information will be very individual Schedules Describing the personal schedule, Mr Nash said that it was designed to obtain personal information and each was tor' use ol one person only. "It has been found necessary," added | Mr Nash, "to retain most of the standard items of previous censuses. One new it cm is travelling time I between heme and place of business. Information is a.so sought regarding ■ a person's usual ec.drers in cases where , he or she is not at the usual place of residence when counted at the | census. •The main emphasis, however, is | placed upon industry and occupation. Not on", is full information , sought regarding the present pcsi- I tion'. but the inquiry ismils also to intentions on the resumption of , normal conditions of these in the Armed For, . th dby manpower regulations, those who voluntarily postponed retirement, and those who voluntarily accepted employment during the war. It will be appreciated that reliable information on these lines is essential to assist in planning or successful reconstruction, which m. be a vital feature ol our postwar economy." In Hands of Post Office The organisation of the census 'to be taken on September 251 was described by Mr Nash. Mr Nash said the Government Statistician, who is head of the Census and Statistics Department, was responsible for the direction of the census. In the main, the field organisation of the coming mainland census follows the lines of its predecessors. "There are 90 census districts,” said the Minister, "each under the charge of a census enumerator, who in each case is an officer of the Post and Telegraph Department. The field work will be carried out by sub-enumerators, assisted where necessary by interpreters. In recent censuses about onethird of the sub-enumerators have been officers of the Post and Telegraph Department,” While an endeavour would be made to deliver schedules to every person, . failure to receive a schedule or schedules would not remove tne individual's liability to furnish information required by the census.