AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2622, 18 November 1915, Page 8

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS

MORE THOROUGH SYSTEM. At the recent conference of Chambers of Commerce one of the subjects of discussion was tlie matter of agricultural statistics and the publication of the sheep; returns compiled by the Agricultural Department. In a letter forwarded to tho Department it was indicated that a very great' improvement could be effected in the statistical returns mentioned. Replying to that lotter to the secretary of the Associated Chambers of Commerce (Mr. H. D. Vickery), Mr. F. S. Pope, secretary to the Department, wrote: — "With further reference to your letter of tho 17th instant regarding the question of compiling and publishing agricultural statistics, I have tho honour, by direction of the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, to inform you that' the present system was adopted during the financial depression in ■ the year 1909, and it was recognised at the t'ime as being less efficient than the system previously in voguo, the sole reason for tho change being the economy that at the time was a necessity. The financial stringency having relaxed, it was decided some time ago to reintroduce a fuller system of collecting these statistics, and arrangements were made accordingly, ; and will : come into force at the beginning of next year. Tho system to be adopted consists of a farm-to-farm collection by the police immediately after the .cereal harvest in each district,- that is to say, commencing the beginning of February in the North, and ending about the end of April in tho South. Fairly full particulars of crops, live stock/ etc., will be taken at that) time, and it is intended that every holding snail be accounted for. From the information thus obtained any further particulars that may bo found desirable will be 'obtained by a system of post-cards. It'is hoped that these particulars will, give results not only better than those of recent yea.rs, but also bettor thaii these obtained prior 'to 1909. I may .say, however, that at present, all .information concerning the areas intended to be sown each season under grain and green crops respectivefy, and the estimated yields per acre of these crops are published as soon as available. For the present season these particulars will be collected on tho following dates:— (1) In the North Island, on October 20. (2) In the provincial districts of Nelson, Marlborough, Westland, and Can- 1 terbury on November 10. (3)' In the provincial district of Otago on November 30. '1- may stale that in future the collection and compilation of agricultural : and pastoral statistics will be in the ; hands of the Government Statistician, < the officers of my Department assisting J him in any way that appears' desir- i able." i