Census Schedule Methods

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31082, 10 June 1966, Page 3

Census Schedule Methods

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 9. The Government Statistician, Mr J. V. T. Baker, said today that New Zealand was fortunate that its population almost without exception was reasonably wellinformed, literate and co-operative when it came to filling in census schedules. In his annual report tabled in Parliament today, Mr Baker said that the normal method of census enumeration in New Zealand was for each of the 2500 sub-enumerators to distribute the blank census schedules to householders and others, and for the individuals themselves to be responsible for filling them in before collection after the census. “While this method is more efficient in some respects and certainly more economical in man-power requirements for sub-enumerators, its use is possible only where the population is reasonably well-in-formed, literate and co-opera-tive,” he said. “New Zealand is fortunate in that its population almost without exception, fulfils these requirements.” Special Coding But during the census in March this year, he said a pilot study for future censuses into the feasibility of a special type of coding was conducted.

"This coding, if practicable on a national scale, would greatly reduce the time required for processing the census statistics,” he said.

“Any significant saving of time and effort revealed by the study could lead to future changes in the clerical

and machine methods for handling the census.” Discussing changes in the content of activities, Mr Baker said, regarding building, that monthly statistics had been extended to a full New Zealand coverage instead of being confined to larger centres of population.

As regards balance of payments, there had been increased interest in portfolio investment.

A new questionnaire was being sent to companies with overseas shareholders to obtain a more accurate measure of this type of international finance. Mr Baker reported that more precise information was also being obtained in the growing field of international aviation.

Turning to crime statistics, Mr Baker said that occupations were now included in returns from Magistrate’s Courts with a view to studying such relationships as the occupations of the offenders and the nature of the offences.

Another change in activities was that regular fore-

casts of private import payments were now being made from the monthly survey of overseas orders and payments. Sought After

“These projections are invaluable on questions of policy formation and are keenly sought after each month,” said Mr. Baker. “The forecasts have shown a fairly high degree of accuracy in a field in which economic currents can be expected to have a varying influence.” He reported that detailed studies also had been made of imports newly exempted from licensing in the 1965-66 import licensing schedule. Those studies, along with other licensing statistics were useful in helping to make decision on economic policy, Mr Baker said.