AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 290, 17 September 1915, Page 4

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

Mr Anderson (Mataura) said one Government's agricultural statistics had been useless. Mr Anstey (Waitaki) asked if the Government would secure some practical assistance in connection with the agricultural statistics. The figures were unreliable and were collected too late, while when obtained they were not distributed promptly. The n-faults of the census of breadstuffs 'aken in. June 30th had not yet reached tlhe House. Mr Anstey mentioned various discrepancies in the statistics and stated tlxat the sheep statistic* were never reliable, as they were taken while many sheep were travelling, and many lambs had left the country. The errors amounted to about two millions.

Mr McCombs (Lyttelton) said the Government had saved about £IOOO on the statistical department, and !bad failed dn consequence to inform the public that there was net a shortage of wheat. The price had risen by about 2s a bushel, and the cost to the public had been between £600,000 and £l,000,009.