THE CENSUS

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 211, 14 October 1916, Page 5

THE CENSUS

MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION As the New Zealand Census ns to be taken to-morrow (Sunday) night our readers are asked to study the following information:— Preparations for the taking of the Census to-morrow (Sunday) night are complete, aud every possible precaution has been taken to facilitate the accurate filling up of the schedules.,- "Read carefully the instructions" is the advice given to householders and who are under an obligation to write correct replies to questions. A householder's schedule has to be filled up by the occupier or person in charge of each dwelling, with particulars respecting all the persons who pass the night of Sunday, 15th October, on the premises_ This schedule is also to include persons traveling or out at ; work during the night of the 15th (not included in any other schedule) who return to the dwelling on 16th October.

In the case of large pastoral stations or other similar establishments the proprietor or. manager is to fill in a schedule in regard to the homestead, but an additional separate schedule must also be filled in for each of the out-stations, dwelling-houses, or huts in which a distinct family or persons reside. A special warning is given as to the replies to be entered in the "Occupation" column. "Justice of the Peace," "City Councillor," is not an occupation within the meaning of the Census and Statistics Act. Persons who hold such positions are required to state their ordinary profession or occupation if they have one; if they have independent means, relieving them of tre need to work, they must indicate the source of income,, designating themselves as "Proprietor of Land," "Proprietor of houses," Capitalist," Annuitant," and so on. Tile Census schedules give guidance on these points.

One lesson of the Avar for New Zealand and for other countries of the Empire is in the need of an accurate record of the number and occupations of alien At previous censuses, except Chinese, no special record of other aliens has been obtained, but on this occasion a special inquiry as to the race to" which all persons other than Europeans belong is included in the Householder's schedule, so that very valuable and informative tables can be compiled as to the race, location, conjugal condition, etc., of such aliens.

In.the householder's schedule on this occasion, under the heading "Description of dwelling,' 'a n inquiry is made as to AA-hether the householder is (a) renting, (b) buying on time-payment., (c) owner, but paying interest on mortgage, or (d) owner of freehold unencumbered. Tables sh-OAving interesting and valuable information as to the social condition of the people in respect to housing should be obtained under this head. The usual particulars are again being obtained as to bees and poultry. The schedule requires the separate entries of fowls, ducks, geese, and tunkeys on hand not reared this, season, and on hand, reared this season. The hives of bees have been set down according to the following classification: Black, hybrid, Italian, other. The Census is the only opportunity the State has of obtaining complete or comprehensive statistics of these growing industries, and it is hoped owners will carefully and accurately answer these**inquiries. What do the people read? An endeavour is being made with the census which is to be taken on Sunday to obtain fuller information as to the reading habits of New Zealand's public, and as to the condition and establishment of the 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, (cj other (historical, biographical, etc..) All information given will be treated as confidential. Any person who wilfully refuses or neglects to fill up, sign, and deliver the schedule, or to answer inquiries which the Enumerators are authorised and required to make, is liable to a fine of £2O. A similar penalty may lie incurred by a person who furnishes false answers or obstructs any one in tlie performance of any duty imposed on him by the Census and Statistics Act. Finally, a special duty- is imposed by the Act on all householders to have the schedule properly completed and ready for the Sub-Enumerator when he calls on Monday, Kith October. It is possible he may be able to call on the Mondav. but householders will greatly assist the authorities by making a point sible he may not be able to call on Monday. The Sub-Enumerator's time is limited, and extra calls on account of delay in filling up the schedules will cause loss of time and money to the. State. Eead all instructions carefully, answer every inquiry, and see that the schedule is all complete by Monday next.