MR BOLLARD GIVES PRAISE TO PAPERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17833, 29 April 1926, Page 11

MR BOLLARD GIVES PRAISE TO PAPERS.

LOYAL SUPPORT IN TAKING OF CENSUS.

(Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, April 28. Commenting on the census figures, the Minister of Internal affairs, the Hon R. F. Bollard, stated that the public had filled in their papers most accurately. The Press had given great assistance in this respect by publishing explanations of the problems set citizens in declaring their affairs for statistical purposes. “ There is no doubt.” said Mr Bollard, “ that the Press have risen magnificently to the occasion, and have very materially helped to rouse the attention of the people to a sense of their duty in supplying the particulars required by the schedules. The Government Statistician is also satisfied from personal observation (and his observation is supported by information received from the enumerators of the various centres) that the people themselves have generally shown a keen desire to comply with the requirements. Many have gone to a great deal of trouble and have shown anxiety to do the right thing.” Mr Bollard added that the loyal support of the newspapers throughout the Dominion in the huge task of. taking the census, the high sense of citizenship shown by the people, and the splendid way in which they responded to the requirements of the Department had gone a long way in helping in the work entailed.

The population of the Wellington suburb of Johnsonville was 1013: in the 1926 census it is shown to be 1188. Grevtown has suffered a decrease in population of 80, and Featherston of 27.

“It has been usual,” remarked Mr Bollard, “to publish preliminarv returns of the census, and. by way of comparison, to show the figures of the preceding census. This course has been followed from time to time until the returns have been completed. Progress reports will be published ”