POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10233, 16 August 1911, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

[From Our Cop-tiespondrkt.J WELLINGTON. August 15.

THE COST OF LIVING

Efforts were made by the Department-, r,f Labour during the past yeaf to ob- j tain information as to the cost of liv-; ino-, and the method of supplying booklets in which workers could beep an account of household expanses was followed with certain modifications. The inquiry was limited to the chief towns in New Zealand. The whole of the 75G books were not fully distributed in any of the centres, an average of about 60G only being issued. Some* of the members of the unions declined to assist in the matter, while others took the mattor up enthusiastically. The information supplied will he keot strictly confidential, and it is hoped to. publish an interesting return either prior to or in connection ttith the next annual report*cf the Department. LABOUR STATISTICS. It is the intention of the Department of Labour to make a move towards improving the industrial statistics which are now compiled yearly. At present they are based on information gathered on April 1, when some trades are not in full operation, so that they do not give a fair indication as to the extent of the industries carried on throughout the j r ear. The t)eparttoent desires to make these statistics more comprehensive by covering the operations of the various industries throughout the whole year and securing more definite data from manufacturers. As it would be impracticable to attempt to collect such complete data every year, it Is proposed to do so once in five years only, especially as the Census Department also collects statistics concerning the industries of the dominion.