42 International Statistical Uniformity. 



pliability on the part of individuals, enforced by an expressed 

 desire to co-operate on the part of Governments or Legisla- 

 tures, should be exhibited. An effort to bring about such an 

 agreement might eventuate in the formation of a statistical 

 union, somewhat similar to the Postal Union, which has 

 been so successfully established. To comprise in these 

 summaries only those tables which are really necessary, and 

 to have them as comprehensive as utility will permit, opens 

 a wide door for all nations to enter through, and will remove 

 niany stumbling-blocks from the path of those who may 

 make the attempt, In the specimen table the column at the 

 left hand side is purposely left open. Each country can use 

 it according to its own method of classification. The lines 

 may contain the names of territorial or political divisions, 

 towns, institutions, denominations or dates, as the methods 

 of supplying the information required. They will not affect 

 the value of the statistics. The totals at foot are what are 

 wanted, and the detailed manner of procuring them will not 

 matter in the least. 



Clause 3. — In order to secure the co-operation which is 

 necessary to success, it is of the greatest importance that 

 these tables should not alter in any way the present statis- 

 tical system of any country. To interfere with any such 

 scheme, even in a slight degree, would immediately raise a 

 storm of opposition which would at once sweep any pro- 

 posed reform out of existence. They have been framed so 

 as to coincide with and utilise existing arrangements in every 

 way. As all care is taken to avoid unnecessary minuteness, 

 countries whose statistics are limited in character would find 

 little difficulty in complying with their principal require- 

 ments. Indeed, in such cases, the inclination latent in all 

 statisticians to multiply information would be fostered and 

 encouraged. 



Clause 4, sub-clause l< B. ,y — If a statistical department or 

 bureau omits to collect the information which any column 

 is intended to contain (as the United States, for instance, 

 appears to do under the headings " Religions of the People" 

 and in all criminal statistics), the space has only to be left 

 blank. When it finds that surrounding Governments are 

 impressed with the necessity of securing authenticated 

 intelligence upon subjects which it has hitherto neglected, it 

 is possible, and even probable, that before long arrange- 

 ments will be made to occupy the vacant ground, and so 

 render the circle of information complete. 



