CENSUS HUMOURS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1926, Page 4

CENSUS HUMOURS

CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS. WELLINGTON, June 12. Preliminary examination of some of the schedules shows that on occasions the eagle eye of the sub-enumerator has overlooked an error of misunderstanding of the question asked these errors sometimes obviously being made in good faith, at other times perhaps not. For instance, to most people ‘•.length of residence” would mean how long one had been in that locality, hut there were some who gave the answer in feet and inches, doubtless led astray by tire other questions as regards the number of rooms, etc. Confusion, too, existed as to the difr ferencc of meaning between “race ” and “ nationality.”. The former was what was desired, but frequently tbe latter was what was given, often with emphasis. To call himself a European does not appeal apparently to a native of the Emerald Isle, so lie puts himself down as Irish in spite of explicit instructions to the contrary on the schedules. The Irish were not the only offenders in this respect, many'horn in England or Scotland would not have anything to do with the general term “ European ” by which they were expected to describe themselves. The religions recorded are many and varied, although some thousands object to stating their religion at all, as they are quite entitled to do. The general practice in dealing with this class of return is to make returns under the heading of all the commoner and oner, ally recognised branches of religious belief, both Christian and ■non-Chris-tian. hi suliscquoi.it detailed returns is found loom lor all the “lancv” religions. most of which seem to originate m the States, and some of which appear to Sic confined to .one ianiily. Some describe themselves as “ Holy Hollers” or “ Holy Jumpers,” or even as " Signs of the Zodiac.” These, to start with, will come under the heading of “ other religions ” as distinct from the l etter-known ones.

Not a few (illers-in of the scheduled recorded their objection to yet another “ blue paper,” the colour apparently awakening unpleasant memories ot blue papers which led to an appearance before a Magistrate. Whether or not the Government Statistician will see his wav to having the colour altered to a. less suggestive hue before the next census takes place remains to he seen, but blue, for some reason or other, generally seems to bo the colour used for these and similar returns.