The Census.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13338, 29 March 1911, Page 2

The Census.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —A census paper was left at my house yesterday, and this morning f spent some time studying it, with a view to tilling it up correctly, I do not think a. am duller than the majority of my neighbours, hut there are parts of it which I cannot make out. There is a column headed "Grade, etc..’’ and in the sample schedule the following letters are placed opposite the several names. A, E, 0, W, and W N, hut there is nothing to show what they mean, E might mean employee, but in the directions it is said it is not to be used under conditions which would naturally apply to most employees; and nothing what over is said about the other letters! 5 Again, as regards religion, there is a column headed “Degree," and the following letters occur opposite the names, viz., E.W., C.11., R.O„, R.W.F., and L.L.8.N.Z., but nothing is said as to their moaning. E.W. may mean “Regular worshipper, but bow about those who, from sickness, distance from a place of worship of their denomination, or other cause, are unable to attend service regularly? It seems to me that a host of forms will be incorrectly filled in, just for want of in formation on the above point.—l am, etc., H. C. FIELD. p.s. —You "ill no doubt assist many of your readers if yon will explain the above points.—H.C.F. Aramoho, March 28. Sir—After my letter of yesterday was posted, I learned that the directions, of winch I complained as not being given on the census forms, had been printed in the School Journal, though why was not clear. It is no doubt well that oar school children should know what a census means, and how to fill in a census form, but fhey are not the persons who will have to do the latter, and it by no means, follows that they would be able to impart the information to their parents. Hosts of forms will have to be filled in by people who have no children, or none old enough to take in the School Journal. The directions should surely have been given on the form, or on a paper delivered with them. I found 1 had made a mistake in supposing that the letters in one column referred to status in a religious body, when the really refer to the amount of education. This arose from the word “Degree,” at head of the column, being printed, in such small type that I could not make it out, even "with the aid of a good reading glass.—l am, etc., 11. 0. FIELD. March 29, 1911.