DATE OF THE CENSUS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 936, 31 December 1910, Page 3

DATE OF THE CENSUS.

J QUESTIONS FOR HOUSKHOLDERS. April 2nd next has been fixed as the date on which the census or the Empire, including, of course, New Zealand, will betaken. This fact was mentioned to a New Zealand Times representative by the Hon. D. Huddo, Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr Bnddo showed a copy of the blue form, the householders’ schedule, which is to become very well known soon, for no fewer than 380,000 will have to be circulated in the Dominion for the purpose of getting the information required by the statisticians. It is twice the si/.e of a foolscap sheet, and has fifteen lines on which the names of persons may be entered. “I’m anxious to show the economic condition of the people,” remarked the Minister, “and the schedule will accordingly contain spaces on which to set down the rental paid by house occupiers, the number of rooms in the house, and the material of the structure, in ad- , dition to the usual queries. We y' also want to know the ages of ■■ marriage, number of children, any infirmity suffered by anyone, the degree of education —whether they are still receiving it or have passed some particular standard the nationality and religious belief, though the last question is quite optional to answer.” The census is confined to Europeans, but the Justice Department will on the same day collect particulars ol the aboriginal population. Separate papers are to be provided lor the elaborate agricultural statistics required, but the small farmer, whose means of livelihood is gained by poultry rearing or bee-keeping, will not be asked to do more than fill in a lew extia lines on the all-embrac-ing blue paper the householders’ schedule.