BURNING CENSUS PAPERS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 13682, 16 May 1912, Page 5

BURNING CENSUS PAPERS.

(By Telegraph.— Special to Herald.) WELLINGTON, May 13. Householders’ schedules and other census documents arc being burned in Wellington by the ton this week, the clerical work having boon almost completed. The prompt destruction of those papers is in accordance with tho policy of the RegistrarGeneral’s department that absolute secrecy must be observed regarding the particulars by individuals. Unless this was the ease there would be worse trouble than is now experienced in obtaining correct particulars of ages. Even under present conditions it is well known that on this point the.census cannot be regarded as reliable to the last degree, owing to the very human failing of forgetfulness on the' part of ladies who fil up the schedules. However, if there are any who feel that they have confided any dreadful secrets of this sort to the schedule, they will bo relieved to know that five tons of these confessions have already disappeared in smoke up the chimney of the Wellington destructor precautions being taken against the documents being overlooked bv unauthorised persons. The census staff itself is under statutory pledge of secrecy.