UNCANNY MACHINES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 44, 16 November 1920, Page 8

UNCANNY MACHINES

TABULATION AND CALCULATION RECOMMENDED FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS The extended use of tabulating and calculating machines is. strongly recommended by the Government Statistician (Mr. Malcolm Fraser), who made a special study of these appliances during his recent visit to Britain and America. "These machines are revolutionising statistical analysis and accounting oi all Kinds," says Mr. Praser in a report presented to Parliament recently. "In considering the application of these tabulating machines to the work carried on in New Zealand Government Departments 1 am convinced that there is great scope for their employment either on accounting work or on statistical analysis. I have no hesitation in recommending, in the strongest possihle terms, that a small plant of these machines should bo procured and installed in the Census and Statistics Office. .Tho plant could bo used to test how far the machines would prove economical on any class of wors desired by any Department. „ Remembering the conditions under which tho machines give tho best service, i -tmnK that, from tho point of view of both efneiency-and economy, it will be found a'dvisablo to centralise the machines in one office, as in Canada, and see that thev are operated by exports, properly cared for, and kept :n continuous work. In illustration of tho extraordinary efficiency of the newest machines, Air. Fraser mentions one that has been obtained for tho War Bisk Insurance Department at Washington. It is operated by a keyboard similar to that of an ordinary typewriter. A master card Is first made: It will at the one operation both type the matter to be put on the card and punch a series of holes on the card which svmbolisos tho same matter. The master card will show tho name and number of the Insured, amount insured, the rate of premium, how payable, due date, etc., and there is provision at foot to note the particulars and payments for five years. Once the master cards, are made" the machine will sort them into the order required; then when notices are to be issued the master cards aro put through the machine, which will prepare the notico (typed and punched) ior issue, and note on the master card that it has been issued, and the date. ihe notice :s then posted to insured, who takes it to the nearest post office when making payment. The postal clerk taking the pavment detaches the punched part of the notice, receipts the typed, part, which is returned to insured as his receipt. The punched part Is sent to Washington as advice o£ payment, rhese advices a? received are put through the machine alor-/ with the master cards. The machine sorts the advices into tie same order as the master cards, notes the payment on tho respective master car.de, lists tho outstandings in respect of which there is no payment, issuing nt the same time a reminding notice,, and marking in the appropriate place on the master card that such reminding notico has been issued, and the date.