The Chronicle LEVIN SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14. 1916 THE CENSUS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 October 1916, Page 2

The Chronicle LEVIN SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14. 1916 THE CENSUS.

Tlio census of the population of New Zealand., with other detail an to dwellings, land areas, livestock, etc.. will be taken to-morrow night (Sunday, loth October). For benefit of our readers, we publish extracts from a departmental note on the matter that has been sent to The Chronicle by the Hon. G. W. I? us*ell. .Minister-in-Chargc of the Census. In the scheme of details, we note that an endeavour is being made to obtain, by means of the census, fuller information as to the reading-habits of New Zealand's public, and as to the conditions and establishment of our public libraries. There is a (special schedule for public libraries, mechanics institutes, and other literary institutions, which requires a percentage classification of books: thus—(a) fiction, (b) technical or professional, (c) other (■historical, biographical, etc.). In tin l householders' schedule on this occasion, under tlu, heading "Description of dwelling," an enquiry is made as'to whether the householder is (a) renting (b) buying on timepay in e lit. (e) owner, but paying interest 011 mortgage, or (d) owner of freehold unencumbered. Tables showing interesting and valuable information as to the social condition of the people in respect to housing should be obtained under this head. It is applicable more 'to inhabitant ot boroughs, town districts, villages, etc., tha.n to country districts. Tlic usual particulars aie obtained as to bees and poultry. The schedule requires the separate entry of fowls, | ilu(.k«s, geese, and turkeys "on hand. , not reared this seaeon," and "on hand j —reared this season.' 1 The hives of , bees have to bo set down acording to , the following clarification: black, hyj brid, Italian, other. The census is j the only opportunity the State has of ! obtaining complete or comprehensive statistics of these growing industries, I and it is hoped that all owners will j carefully andi accurately answer the I inquiries. I This year's census to be taken in ; respect to the occupancy of dwellings, | ships, and trains oil the night of Sunj day, loth October, will be perhaps the j most important in New Zealand's his-

tory. By reason of casualties, actual and prospective, and other causes, the war requires a careful inventory of the country's man power, and woman power as well. Therefore all persons concerned are urged to read very carefully the instructions regarding profession or occupation, as set out on the census schedules. In some- cases it is not easy to give briefly a correct answer to the '"Occupation" question, but doubte can be remwvel by careful reading of the instructions. The war gives a. special importance to correctness in the doing of this national duty. A special warning, therefore, is given as to the replies to b? entered in the "Occupation" column. "Justice of the Peace." "City Councillor," and tho like, are not occupations within the meaning of the Census and Statistics Act. Persons who hold such positions arc required to state their ordinary profesion or occupation if they have one; if of independent means, relieving them of the need to work, they must indicate the source of income, designating themselves as "Proprietor of Land," "Proprietor of Houses," "Capitalist," "Annuitant," and so on. The census schedules give guidance on these points. '■Gentleman" or "Lady" has been the answer given by some folk tw official queries as to occupation . Those persons not obliged to work for a living had; an impression that the-term "Gentleman" or "Lady"' was the correct term to describe that care-free condition. However, for the purposes of the census New Zealand has 110 column for "Gentlemen" or "Ladies" in the official statistics. There will lie many tables, compiled from the -clieclules, but there will be 110 inventory of "Ladies" and "Gentlemen" apart from the official recording of ;x>x. A careful reading of the in-!-:-tructions in the ccn«us schedules will enable each person to give an accurate answer to all queries. One les~in of the war for New Zealand and for other countries of tho empire is the needi of an accurate record of the number and occupation '0 f alien res'.dents. At previous censuses, except Chnese, 110 special record of aliens has been obtained. but 011 this occasion a special inquiry as to the race to which all persons other than Europeans belong included in the householder's schedule. so that very valuable and informative tables can be compiled as to race. :1 oration, conjugal conditions, etc.. ol such al:ens.