THE CENSUS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1921, Page 6

THE CENSUS.

I TO BE TAKEN TO-MORROW. 1 ! HINTS TO HOUSEHOLDERS. ' A census will be taken throughout New Zealand to-morrow (Sunday) night, and the responsibility of providing returns rests upon every householder. In the Taranaki district the distribution of the necessary papers has been proceeding during the last few days, and every effort is being made to see that all householders are supplied. The schedules will be called for Sy the eolectors on Monday, or as soon after as possible.

The census schedule has few terrors for those who take the simple precaution of reading the instructions, but in these days of congested housing, . the five queries regarding the dwelling may offer difficulties to families living in flats or tenements. The head of a family occupying separate apartments in a house has a separate householder’s schedule to complete, and he too must enter particulars as to his “dwelling.” To the query “Nature of Building?” he answers “Tenement in Private House,” and to that “Number of Rooms” he gives the number in his own occupation, and adds “sharing kitchen,” for instance, if that be the case. In most cases he will be “renting” the tenement, and the final question as to weekly rent or rental value will scarcely require lengthy pondering. Where one occupant of a house is subletting portions to other families, he himself is asked to state, when answering those particular questions, only the number of rooms and the rent or rental valu? of the part he or his family occupy.

Attention is directed to an advertisement appearing in another column in regdrd to the census to be taken tomorrow. It is hoped that all householders will assist the sub-enumerators, firstly, by seeing that they receive a schedule, and secondly by having it care, fully completed in readiness for collection. It may help householders in dealing with columns 6,7, and 8, to point out that these are for married women only and for children over 16 as well as under that age, whereas column 9 is for married men, widowers and widows, and is to show children under 16 only. Column 9 is to include step-children and adopted children whether their names are nn the schedule or not. A spec : al part of the form is provided in which to show the ages of the children who appear in column 9.

NATIONAL STOCKTAKING. PART OF EMPIRE SURVEY. VALUABLE INFORMATION. The schedules in connection with the census to be taken next Sunday night will be in the hands of the householders by the end of this week. It should be remembered that there is a legal obligation upon the heads of all householders to give accurate answers to the printed questions appearing on the schedules. In order to avoid mistakes it is recommended that, before cohnmencing to fill in the documents, they sfiould be carefully read through. A glance at the history of the census, its purpose, and its value wil be of interest at this stage. It should be borne in mind that it is merely a means of obtaining information about the people of the country. It is nearly '6OOO years since the first known census was taken in ancient Babylonia. Something of the kind was certainly in use in early Egypt before 2500 8.C., and also in China prior to 3090 B.C. A Biblical instance of the census is that of the Hebrews, in 1490 8.C., when Moses took a count of his | people, as related in the Book of Numbers. In ancient Roman times a very systematic form of census was taken. Indeed the name “census” is derived from the Latin verb censeo (I register, or enrol). It was the duty of certain high officers called “censors” to make a register of the citizens and their property. This register determined a man’s position in the State and the taxation due from him as a citizen. Modern census takings are far different in purpose. These date back to those of Sweden in 1749, America in J 790, and England in 1801. In New Zealand the first general census was taken in 185], and the coming one will be the 17th enumeration in the history of the Dominion. At the outset the census was taken in this country every three years; now it is a five-vearlv one.

Special interest attaches to the coming census, as it wil form a part of the Empire post-entry survey. A census is being taken this year in all parts of the British Empire. That of Australia was taken on April 4, while New Zealand leads the other portions of the Empire with its count on April 17. In the United Kingdom the census will be taken on April 24, in South Africa oh May 3, and in Canada on June 1.

The New Zealand census will, to all intents and purposes, be a national stock-taking. The information it renders available is very varied. It will tell the composition of the various households; the number of men and women in any town or district; the number following any particular profession, trade, or occupation; the’age of the individuals in every household, and their conjugal state; the number of orphans in the Dominion; the birthplace and allegiance of all, and of their fathers; the race to which each person belongs; and the aipount for which every life is insured. Otfier heads of information obtained by the census inclu|de, the religion and education of the people; the type of dwelling inhabited; the average size of families; and the localities where the people reside. Bees and the number of domestic poultry kept are two more questions answered. Another use of the census is in connection with the alteration of boundaries of the various electoral districts, these alterations being determined upon the ebb and flow of the population. It will be seen that the value of the result depends almost wholly upon the care and accuracy with which each householder performs his share of the national task.