First impressions from the Census of Distribution, 1933

Abstract

The Society welcomes the pioneer work which has been done by the Government Statistical Department in ascertaining facts regarding the volume of distribution, retail and wholesale, within the Saorstat. Retailers and wholesalers perform a definite function; they are essential to the manufacturer and to the public; the increased variety and volume of goods to be distributed has made them more important now than formerly. Knowledge of what takes place is socially of value, and the census which was taken in 1933 deserves, and I am sure will receive, very close examination. The comments, which I make upon it tonight must be regarded as preliminary, but I think the subject matter is so important that there should be an examination of it by the Society at an early date, and since the work is of a pioneer character, comment upon it must embrace a criticism of the form as well as an interpretation which may be placed upon the matter.