THE CENSUS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 221, 30 December 1910, Page 2

THE CENSUS

THE HOUSEHOLDERS' SCHEDULE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Thursday. Sunday, April 2 next, has been fixed as the date on which the census of the Empire, including, 01 course, New Zealand, will be taken. This fact was mentioned to a New Zealand Times representative by the Hon. D. Buddo, Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr. Buddo 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 size of a foolscap sheet, and has fifteen lines on which the names of persons'may be entered.

"I am anxious to show the economic condition of the people," remarked tjhe 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 addition to the usual queries we also want to know the ages of the different occupants, the duration 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 of the aboriginal population. Separate papers are to be provided for the elaborate agricultural statistics required, but the small farmer whose means of livelihood is gained by poultry-rearing or beekeeping will not be asked to do more than fill in a few extra lines on the all-embracing blue paper—the householder's schedule.