5

H.—l2

Several matters raised here will need attention. The points in regard to classification of industry and occupation are particularly important, and will require to be carefully gone into on imv return. Resolution 67 recommends thai in the presentation of statistics of (a) population and (b) births, marriages, and deaths the distribution shall be shown by single 3'ears of age in conjunction with sex and conjugal condition; while resolution 68 proposes that a uniform basis for the standardization of death-rates to be determined on by the proposed Empire Bureau should be adopted throughout the Empire. The former is already the practice in New Zealand, while Ihe latter could readily be complied with immediately the British Empire Statistical Bureau determines the standard death-rate to be adopted. Resolution 69 points out the desirability of—(I) All birth-registers containing a record of I In: age of ,each parent and Ihe number of" issue previously born to the same marriage, distinguishing living and dead; (2) the compilation of statistics of still-births; (3) the recording in death-registers of the conjugal condition of deceased persons; (4) the adoption of the international classification of causes of death as revised from time to time, for tabulation of deaths. Resolution 70 suggests that the error introduced into death statistics by the present system of open certification would be eliminated by a system of confidential certification. Resolution 71 recommends ihe recording of particulars as to— (a.) At birth-registrations—(l) occupations and nationalities of parents; (2) ages and sexes of previous issue, living and dead. (6.) At death-registrations—(l) occupations and nationalities of deceased ; (2) sexes and ages of his (or her) issue, if any. I recommend thai these resolutions be referred to the Registrar-General and myself for consideration and report. Resolutions 72 to 75 affirm that it is desirable to obtain adequate statistics in connection with the movements of persons, British and foreign, between the various countries of the Empire and between the Empire and foreign countries. Such statistics i! is recommended should be collected as far as possible iii the form of an individual record to be furnished by each person, including information as to sex, conjugal condition, age, occupation, nationality (present and original), country of last permanent residence and of intended future residence, which experience has proved to be the simplest and most accurate and effective method of securing the requisite information. It is also urged that, in view of the fact that an Empire census is to be taken in 1921, this new system for the collection of these statistics should be brought into operation not later than Ist January, 1921. I have already dealt with their application to New Zealand in paragraph 5 relative to the system of collecting migration statistics in South Africa, which is the same as that recommended in these resolutions. Resolutions 76 to 82 affirm the necessity of publishing in the future at least as frequently as once in each month systematic records of retail prices of as many staple items of household expenditure as possible, together with an index number thereof, the commodities thus considered being selected so as to give the most representative price possible in each country rather than attempting to evolve a regimen identical for all countries or for all purposes. In countries which hitherto have noi made systematic collections of prices, special investigations in order to secure corresponding data for back years are desirable. Thi' Conference further recommends that in all cases where an index number is either first issued or revised a statement of the methods adopted should be published, together with the actual data employed. The Conference also recommends the universal adoption of the aggregate-expendi-ture method of constructing index numbers designed by the Australian Commonwealth Statistician, Ihe regimen being subject to revision every decade, or thereabouts, so as to conform to variations in the national usage. Most of the work recommended is already being done in New Zealand, and tin' method of constructing index numbers adopted by us is that here suggested. In further development of this branch of our work these resolutions will be carefully considered and followed. Resolutions 83 to 85 emphasize the necessity for more and better statistics of labour, and for special attention being given in the British Empire to this Held of statistical inquiry. The Conference recommends that statistics of as complete a character as possible should be obtained bearing on the rates of wages and the earnings of workpeople; the hours of labour; the causes, duration, and mode of conclusion of strikes and lockouts; on employment, including unemployment; on industrial organization, Arc The subject of labour statistics came up at the end of the Conference, and there was only time for a general resolution on the subject. This branch of statistics in New Zealand is very incomplete, and I recommend that these resolutions be referred to tin' Secretary, Department of Labour, and myself for co-operation in their further development. Resolution 86 states the desirability of having Budget and debt statistics of the Empire, to include national, provincial, municipal, and other local budgets. New Zealand now has fairly comprehensive statistics under these heads. Resolution 87 recommends that wherever taxes on incomes or on estates of deceased persons are in force, such detailed statistics as arc possible should be prepared, with the object of throwing light on the national wealth and the distribution of property and income. This should be referred to the Commissioner of Taxes and myself for consideration as to the statistics obtainable from the particulars in the possession of the Income-tax Department. Resolutions 88 to 93 affirm ihe desirability of compiling full information as to —(I) Amounts and descriptions of currency in circulation, including stocks, note issues, and movements of coin and bullion; (2) monthly returns of banking operations; (3) movements of capital; (4) index numbers of prices of various classes of securities; (5) financial operations of insurance, land, mortgage, investment, trust, and financial companies generally. The finance statistics of New Zealand should be carefully overhauled and brought into line with these resolutions, and I propose to give the matter attention as soon as possible after my return. Resolution 93 recommends the collection and publication of statistics of the operations of insurance companies and friendly societies. Limited statistics of life and accident insurance have been available in New Zealand for a long time, and Ihe collection of returns relative to fire