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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 134, 24 October 1912, Page 4

USELESS STATISTICS. ■ The value of the pastoral and agricultural statistics compiled by the Government lias lately been questioned. It is suggested that the sheep returns, for instance, beyond showing whether there is an increase or a decrease in the size of Hocks, are practically useless. They are prepared for April 30, but it is pointed out that it is early in the autumn when tile sheep farmer wants information, because he is then selling his surplus and making his arrangements for sheep for winter feeding, and for breeding. If the returns were made up to December 31 they would be of much greater value, more accurate and simpler for the farmer to prepare. Then the question of collecting grain statistics is an important matter that needs the serious attention of the Minister for Agriculture. A southern contemporary points out that the system of collecting or, rather, guessing at the acreage, yields, etc., adopted by the late Minister for Agriculture is of very little real value, and, in fact, it has done more harm than good. For instance, the potato crop of 1910 was considerably over estimated, and that of 1911 was set down as somewhat less, whereas the actual yield in 1911 was about three times greater than in the previous year. Knowing the crop was short in 1910 growers held on to their potatoes last season, with the result that they lost a good market, and in the end could hardly give them away. There is no doubt also that last year's wheat crop was underestimated in area, whereas oats have been considerably over-estimated. Prior to the guesswork method being substituted the collecting system was working out very correctly. No one now knows what amount of old grain is carried over into the new season, and that, of course, is most important in estimating the amount of grain available for local consumption and export during the year, and. furthermore, is a check upon the estimates made earlier in the year. Altogether, there seems to be room for a very considerable improvement in the method of arriving at these figures, and a consequent increase in value to the producers of the Dominion.