9

H.-22

the hands of representative housewives throughout the country has been made. As an inducement towards filling in the books and thus enabling the Census and Statistics Office to have a sufficient number of completed budgets on which to base weights corresponding to the present-day consumption of commodities, the Government is offering prizes for the best properly-completed books received. Mortgage Statistics.—The past year saw the inauguration of a simple, inexpensive, but informative series of statistics on a subject—viz., mortgages—in regard to which only the barest statistical information had hitherto been available in New Zealand. The new statistics, while not covering the whole subject, deal with what is undoubtedly the most important aspect of the question —viz., the amount of mortgages owing on farm lands and business premises. The machinery for the new statistics, the results of the first tabulation of which were published in the " Miscellaneous " Statistical Report, 1928, and summarized in the 1930 Year-book, lies in the annual returns of land furnished to the Commissioner of Taxes, particulars as to mortgages outstanding at the 31st March now being added to those re unimproved value, &c., entered on the cards from which the land-tax statistics are compiled. In addition, the value of both the mortgage and land-tax statistics was enhanced by the addition of particulars of area to the factors covered, and by a distinction being made between urban and rural lands. World Agricultural Census.—The International Institute of Agriculture being desirous of a general agricultural census being taken in 1930 on a uniform plan and in all countries, the New Zealand Government agreed to co-operate, and the Statistician was authorized to make such changes in the usual form of inquiry as will permit of the requirements of the Institute being met as far as New Zealand is concerned. As a matter of fact, the draft scheme, when received, was found not to vary greatly from that employed annually in New Zealand. International Classification of Causes of Death. —The decennial revision of the International Classification of Causes of Death was carried out by an international Congress held at Paris in October last. New Zealand, unfortunately, could not be represented at this Congress, but recognition of the high standing of the Dominion's vital statistics was evidenced by the views of the Census and Statistics Office of New Zealand being sought in regard to points involved, both by the International Institute of Statistics and by the Health Organization of the League of Nations. Two proposals which were included in the draft scheme drawn up for submission to the Congress, but were strongly opposed by the New Zealand Statistical Office, are found to have been dropped, and the revised classification as finally adopted is entirely acceptable to New Zealand. Publicity Office. Production of Literature.—A feature of the publicity activities has been the production of a special book, in colour, designed to provide some indication of the natural charm of the Dominion's attractions. This has been found doubly necessary in view of the highly attractive literature now being produced by other countries with scenic attractions. The success of this book has been immediate, and a heavy demand has set in from the various overseas agents. The following advertising-material was dispatched to distributing agencies in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Africa, India, the Malay States, Japan, France, and Australia : books, 25,600 ; folders, 85,000 ; posters, 1,548. In addition to this bulk distribution, a large quantity of publicity literature, amounting to approximately 7,900 books and 17,000 folders, was dispatched to a very wide circle of business heads throughout the world, from addresses supplied by leading firms and prominent people of the Dominion. The manuscript and illustrations for three further publications specially designed for a similar purpose are now ready for the printer. Cinema-film Production.—Film matters have been somewhat overshadowed by the advent of " sound " production, which has very largely displaced the silent picture, and future policy in this connection must receive careful consideration. Every available avenue of release for silent film will continue to be exploited. A " kodascope " colour machine has been imported in order that films might be taken in natural colours. This machine takes the small, or 16 mm., film designed for showing in private homes or small halls, and is specially valuable in that its comparative cheapness of production brings it within the reach of people of moderate means who are able to tour abroad. At the present time a number of our standard films, copies of which are in stock, are being reduced to the 16 mm. size in order that they may be placed in America, Australia, and England before the commencement of the next tourist season. A number of requests have been received for these films. Films are being regularly screened on a number of the leading ocean liners bound for America, Australia, and New Zealand, while an inquiry for a special set of educative films has been received from London, and extra supplies have been asked for by some South African theatres. Photographic Department. —Whole-plate photographs produced by the Office are becoming increasingly popular, and sets are often procured by overseas tourists before departure. A valuable feature of this side of the activities is that the pictures are also used for presentation albums for distinguished visitors, and thus come directly before the attention of hundreds of interested potential travellers. Enlarged and coloured photographs are also produced in considerable quantity for display purposes overseas. A readv sale exists for the whole-plate pictures printed by the Office. Local Film-screenings. —For the benefit of visitors films are screened each morning during the summer months between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., in the Office theatre, which accommodates fifty people. These exhibitions have been the means of inducing many people whose tour had been arranged for certain localities to prolong their visits and include the places shown. The theatre is also made use of by members of the medical profession when viewing special films relatingfto their work, while screenings are frequently made for the benefit of college and school students. Interviewing Visitors. —Large numbers ofoverseas visitors called at the Office throughout the year in order to obtain literature and photographs as a record of their tour. Thus a great dealfof interviewing is necessary, and endeavour is made to see that visitors receive every courtesy and consideration. In addition, numerous written inquiries regarding living-conditions, prices of property, investment of capital, &c., are answered in detail.

2—H. 22.