38 International Statistical Uniformity. 



for international purposes. Another division are principally 

 compiled for local information and use. Many annual 

 returns (those on population, births, and deaths, for 

 example) are estimated, and are therefore only approxi- 

 mately correct. 



As this paper is confined to those which are requisite 

 for international comparison only, all of those enumerated 

 above, except the aggregate returns, may be excluded at once 

 from consideration. Therefore, returns which supply, as far 

 as possible, verified figures, ranged under a comprehensive 

 nomenclature, and which are published at moderately long- 

 intervals, are most suitable to commence with, for purposes 

 of unification. The decennial census, which is taken in all 

 English-speaking communities, fulfils these conditions, and 

 the suggestions contained in this paper will be confined to 

 it. By thus restricting the consideration of the subject, and 

 excluding all returns of a local or partial character, it is 

 trusted that an apparently hopeless question may be brought 

 within the range of practical effort. Any suggestions con- 

 tained herein must of necessity be general in application, 

 and point out as much the direction in which action appears 

 to be possible, as the action itself. The first point is prac- 

 ticability ; the second is, whether they are likely to lead 

 up to a further development or improvement in the direc- 

 tion of uniformity. 



As this census is now taken simultaneously throughout 

 the British dominions, the first advance towards the desired 

 end has been made. The last census of the United States 

 was taken in 1880 ; ours was taken in 1881. If the Govern- 

 ment of the former country could be induced to postpone 

 the next for one year — to 1891 — uniformity of date through- 

 out the English-speaking communities of the world would be 

 secured. If not, it is a matter worth careful consideration 

 whether it would not be advisable to alter our date to 1890, 

 in view of the gain likely to accrue ultimately ; or, better 

 still, for either or both Governments to accept the year 

 which is at present adopted by the majority of nations 

 collecting census returns. A mutual arrangement amongst 

 two countries whose influence on the rest of the world is so 

 powerful and so widespread would at once attract the 

 attention of other communities. If such an announcement 

 was made, it is probable that neighbouring nations would 

 sooner or later adopt the same year; and it is possible that this 

 effect might ensue before the next succeeding enumeration. 



