THE CENSUS QUESTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9173, 24 August 1908, Page 7

THE CENSUS QUESTION.

In discussing in the House on Friday last the vote for the RegistrarGeieial's Department, Mr Tanner took exception to the practice of taking a census every five years. It cost £25,000 to take a census, which was not required more often than once in evtry ten years. He suggested the substitution of a ten years' census, as a very necessary piece cf ecjinmy. Mr Ell contended that it was essential that the present system should remain in vogue. This was only the thin end of the wedge to drive home a proposal supported by a good many members for the constitution ot a "five years' Parliament, in preference to a triennial Pat Lament. Every Conservative member desired a ten years' census, so that theie might be no change of electoral boundaries. He wanted to see the boundaries changed according to the growth of the various centres. Mr Griy referred to the taking of the Maori census, and said that the statement had b'.'en made to him that the natives felt the question of their decreasing numbers very keenly, and with a view to swelling tie consul, they included the names of their dogs and horses in the rolls. Mr Harding agreed with Mr Tanner, and contended that it would be better if thev had a five years' Parliament. If this was done, the work of the country would be carried on a good deal more successfully.