We find that we did the Registrar-Gene-ral's department an injustice yesterday, in our remarks regarding the publication of the quarterly trade returns, and we therefore withdraw so much of them as connected that department with their late appearance in the Gazette. But it must be patent to every one that the system, of the Registrar-General's department generally is that of labored slowness. We do not say this in any spirit of hostility to either the prosent or late head of the. department. On the contrary, we have a very high opinion of both gentlemen ; and of Dr. Bennett we have to say that his public services have been of very great value.to the colony ;—services rendered, moreover, for many years under very great disadvantage. But the condition of the country has changed materially since the statistics of the colony began to bo compiled and published by authority. For along time the New Zealand Statistics were only useful to public writers and politicians for purposes of comparison ; they were of no value whatever to business men. Nor did it then really matter much when the annual blue-book compiled by the Registrar-General passed from the printer's hands. New Zealand was hardly in the stream of the world's commerce. Now, however, it has taken another position. Its commerce has largely increased ; its foreign trade alone represents something like twelve millions a year, while its domestic trade must be very considerable indeed. Moreover, population is increasing ; and reliable statistics of trade, interchange, agriculture, and population, if promptly published, would be invaluable to merchants. But those are not promptly published; nor is the information conveyed in a simple and concise forim The tables are too diffuse. There is little, if any, method in the arrangement of the tables ; and altogether, lee us say, the Statistics of New Zealand are served up in such form and shape as must deter any one, who is not an ardent student of " the dismal science," from attempting to read the lessons they are doubtless intended to teach. Now, tve trust the Registrar-General will take this frank expression of opinion in a friendly spirit. Thero is a pressing need for change of system ; and we suspect that reforms were anticipated by the Government when the appointment was made. Beyond, however, the addition of a few tables of vital statistics, tho importance of which, by the way, has been altogether exaggerated, no improvement of any kind has been effected, at least to the public eye. And if the department is to retain its position, a very comprehensive reform indeed must be made, and that speedily.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18741114.2.10
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4260, 14 November 1874, Page 2
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434Untitled New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4260, 14 November 1874, Page 2
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