The trade statistics of the Irish Free State : methodological aspects

Abstract

In May, 1925, I read before this Society one of a series of short papers which were then presented on trade statistics and I am glad to have this opportunity of bringing to your notice some facts which will indicate that substantial progress has been made since then in the form of presentation of the Saorstat trade statistics. While it is undesirable that there should be frequent changes in the method of compilation, tabulation or presentation of any set of statistics thus preventing satisfactory comparisons being made, there come times when a change in method is a necessary step in the stage of development and improvement of the statistics themselves.