a.—22

12

Quinquennial Census. The publication of the statistical tables compiled from the results of the census of October, 1916', has been delayed somewhat owing to the impossibility of setting aside permanent officers for (his work and the consequent necessity for practically the whole of the writing, reading, classifying, sorting', and counting of the cards being entrusted to temporary female clerks, none of whom had had any previous experience of statistical work. However, the compilation of the tables is now well under way: four parts have already been published, two more are in the Printer's hands, and several others are in an advanced stage of preparation. Agricultural and Pastoral Statistics. This work was again carried out successfully for the 1.916-17 season, and the compilation of the 1917-18 statistics is going ahead smoothly. It has, however, been found impossible to have the statistics ready for publication as early as was hoped when the new system was instituted, the delay being due to the enormous amount of additional war work thrown on the sub-enumerators in their capacity as police officers. Along with this season's statistics information as to breeds of cattle, horses, and pigs has been collected for the first lime, and the results when published should be of interest. It is proposed that similar information should be collected every third year. Industrial and Economic Inquiries. The appointment of Mr. G. W. Clinkard to the vacant position of Compiler in Charge of Industrial and Economic Statistics has enabled the branch, which had practically been marking time for over a year, to proceed with the collection and compilation of statistics of wholesale prices. Current wholesale prices are now published regularly in the Monthly Abstract of Statistics, along with the usual retail prices and index numbers. Much valuable information has also been obtained for back years, and is now being prepared for publication in the form of index numbers to supplement the index numbers of retail prices. The Department's cost-of-living statistics are of considerable interest and are largely quoted. They are invaluable as giving official and reliable information as to the trend of prices, especially in view of the general rise in prices of commodities during the war period. It is hoped soon to proceed with the regular collection and publication of information as to wages and unemployment, two branches of economic inquiry in which practically nothing has hitherto been attempted in the Dominion. As a beginning a series of tables in connection with unemployment will be compiled from the results of the census of 1916, PUBLICA,TIONS. The improvements effected in recent issues of the New Zealand Official Year-book have been maintained and extended in the 1917 number. An important innovation in this book is represented by the inclusion of a special article by Mr. ,1. W. .Butcher, Chief Compiler of this Office, on cancer mortality in New Zealand, a subject of peculiar interest at the present time in view of the continued increase in the number and proportion of deaths attributable to this cause. It is hoped to continue the system of publishing, either in the Year-book or separately, short treatises on sociological and economic matters of general interest. The results of the census of industrial manufacture taken in 1916 are also given in the Yearbook in a handier form for general information and reference than that adopted for past censuses, this being in conformity with the general policy of the Office in regard to its publications. A useful addition to the section of the book relating to agriculture and live-stock is a map prepared by Mr. .1. P. Black, Compiler in Charge of Agriculture and Pastoral Statistics, showing at a glance the relative density of live-stock in the various counties of the Dominion. The four volumes of Statistics of Ngw Zealand,' covering the statistics of the calendar year 1916 and the financial and agricultural year 1916-17, were on much the same lines as in previous years. They appeared somewhat later than usual, mainly on account of the enormous pressure of work of this Office and the Printing Office. Volumes I and II of 1917 are now well under way, but it is feared that Volume 111 will be considerably delayed on account of the late meeting of Parliament and the probable inability to obtain much of the necessary statistical matter from other Departments at the usual time. The Monthly Abstract of Statistics, which presents the latest statistical information in a handy form for reference, continues to increase ils circulation, and is largely referred to and quoted from, especially by those interested in statistics of .prices, which arc now published in the Abstract in lieu of the Journal of the Department of Labour, which ceased publication about twelve months ago. Unfortunately, another set of useful tables—those relating to monthly exports of principal commodities—has had to be omitted from the Abstract for the duration of the war at the request of the Imperial authorities. Another issue of the Municipal Handbook, covering the financial year 1916-17, has been published. General and Special Statistical Work. The general work of the Office has been kept up to the standard of previous years, with improvements where considered necessary or desirable, but without any permanent additions worthy of notice, with the exception of the collection and compilation of the financial statistics