to take a snapshot of how Bermuda lives.

The Census could give the Island the opportunity to really see how all Bermuda residents lives can be improved.

In the 1991 Census, the Government for the first time asked people about their incomes, and the results were useful in discovering -- categorically -- the distribution of income among blacks and whites and Bermudians and non-Bermudians.

These kinds of facts are important in order to dispel myths and to give Government and other agencies the information they need to set good policies.

Next year's Census is an ideal opportunity to ask Bermuda residents a host of questions about their habits and lifestyles.

Next year's Census will reveal child care arrangements which is important for Government, which has promised improved day care.

But Government could also ask people how many computers they have in their homes and whether or not they are on the Internet or have access to it.

Expanded questions on housing -- such as how many people receive housing subsidies -- would help to determine policy with regard to housing affordability and availability.

A "street survey'' of homeless people could determine just how many Bermudians have no shelter and why.

Concerns over overseas spending could also be addressed -- how many trips residents take abroad and how much they spend on shopping could be used to determine whether cuts in Customs duties are necessary.

The list goes on: How many homes have televisions and how many hours per week do households spend watching TV? And how many hours are spent reading instead? How many households have investments -- in local companies and abroad -- and are setting money aside for retirement. Alternately, how many families are in debt -- and by how much? How many hours do people really spend at work -- and what does that say about Bermuda's quality of life? These types of questions can help to determine Government policy on pensions, small business development and in addressing problems like literacy.

This opportunity only comes along once every ten years; the Census should be as all-encompassing as possible to allow Bermuda to make good decisions for the next decade.