1921.] 



Agricultural Statistic s . 



643 



converted to a common standard, so that the prices in different 

 markets may be readily compared. In my judgment, the 

 practical value of this Return to the farmer in the conduct of 

 his business is not sufficiently recognised. About 20,000 copies 

 are distributed weekly, but they represent only a small propor- 

 tion of those for v^hose use it is designed. 



I have not exhausted the catalogue of returns, periodical or 

 occasional, v^hich may be included under the term " Agricul- 

 tural Statistics " — the most important omission being the 

 " Return of Agricultural Output " obtained in connection v^^ith 

 the Census of Production. I hope it may be possible to repeat 

 this, as originally contemplated, every five years. 



My vievrs on English Agricultural Statistics may no doubt 

 be coloured by the fact that I have taken some part in their 

 development. Others less influenced by parental feelings may 

 not agree that the principles and methods on which they are 

 based are unchallengeable. One may fully admit that they 

 are open to discussion, but it may be claimed without hesitation 

 that they are the result of very serious consideration in the 

 light of long experience, and with a full knowledge of all that 

 has been done in the same field by other countries. That the 

 system is not perfect, is to say that it is the product of human 

 effort, and it must be remembered that it was devised and 

 extended under financial limitations of a much more stringent 

 nature than have been recently imposed. " A fool can govern 

 in a state of siege," says an old proverb, and it is not difficult 

 to construct and administer admirablv complete schemes if one 

 can do so regardless of expense. With the resources available 

 the British system of Agricultural Statistics (the English and 

 Scottish systems being practically the same) is based on sound 

 and practical lines. 



Use of Statistics. — The subject of this paper was chosen by 

 the Chairman, and I have not yet dealt with the last word of 

 it. I have dwelt so long on the collection of agricultural 

 statistics that there is little time to expatiate on their use. 



The proposition that statistics are useful commands general 

 assent at the present time. The old popular belief that official 

 statistics were mainly intended to provide more or less amusing 

 occupation for officials, and to furnish opportunities for elabo- 

 rate perversions of the truth, has been in some degree weakened 

 by the War. There is now, in fact, a popular demand for 

 statistical information of all kinds, and the demand, as usual, 

 produces the supply. If the information does not in fact exist 



E 2 



