INFANTILE DEATHRATE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19141, 26 October 1927, Page 2

INFANTILE DEATHRATE.

DISQUIETING FIGURES. WHAT STATISTICS SHOW. [THE PBESS SpecUl Serrlc».] .WELLINGTON, October 25. la an address on "Some Aspects of Infant Mortality Statistics" at the Rotary Club luncheon to-day, Mr Malcolm Fraser, Government Statistician, said that New Zealand was justly proud of having the lowest infantile death-rate in the world, and on having led the way in regard to the treatment of infantile diseases, but lie added that a disturbing cause which called for serious thought was the increasing number of still-births. Mr Fraser said statistics should be the signposts pointing the way to progress and safety. ... " "Our splendid position in respect to low infantile death-rate," he said, "is attributable partly to such matters as climate, virility of race, comparative absence of large industrial undertakings and extensive slum areas, etc., and partly to legislative and educative measures both by State and by private organisations. I think I should direct your attention to a danger signal which is being thrown up by the statistics, and which points to the operation of disturbing causes in our society which call for serious thought. I refer to the increasing number of stillbirths. _ If these are taken into consideration, the progress in our infantile mortality rates is much less than it at present appears. "Now, it is only since 1914 that the law required the registration of stillbirths, and consequently we only have a record of them since that time.. It is very disquieting, however, to observe that during the period of observation available they have shown a considerable and steady increase. Were these included, therefore, in computing the infantile death-rate, as I think indeed they should be the position is verv considerably affected. - The rate for 1914 would be 73.58, instead of 51.38, and for 1926 it would be 68.74 instead of 39.75. Instead of the rate showing a reduction from 1914 to 1926, of 22.62 per cent., the reduction would be only j G. 56 per cent. The fact that still- ! births appear to be on the increase is '' something to give rise to serious I thought."

By means of graphs, the speaker illustrated the points he particularly desired to emphasise—the importance and tremendous influence of the early period deaths in the infantile deathrates, and the close association between them and still-births. "May not the same factors," he asked, "be the principal causes for the increase in both, and does not the position, call for a. closer examination and enquiry into the social habits, and customs, etc of our civilisation?'? - ' '

WEDDINGS AND ENGAGEMENTS. (from otjb own cohbesbondbkt.). LONDON, September 21. To the other weddings of New Zealand interest which are to v take place in England during October another has to be added. On October 12th, in Glasgow, Mr Edward J. Vavasour will marry Miss Molly Leslie. Mr Vavasour i 3 the eldest son of the late Mr H. D. Vavasour and Mrs Vavasour, of Ugbrooke, Blenheim, and his fiancee is the third daughter of the late Mr Duncan Leslie,, of Perth, and the late Mrs Leslie, of Midmar Gardens-, Edinburgh. On October 19th, at St. Giles's Church, Cambridge, the marriage will take place of Mr Miles Barnett, of Clare College, son of Sir Louis and Lady Barnett, of Dunedin, and Peggy, only daughter of Dr. and Mrs J. H. C. Dalton of The Plot, Cambridge. A third October wedding of New Zealand interest will be that between Mr Eadred Lutyens and Miss Annette Barton, which will take ,place in the Brompton Parish Church on October 25th. ■

SONG RECITAL. At the Jellicoe Hall last night, Miss Marian Woodhouse (L.R.A.M.) and her pupils gave an invitation song recital, when the hall was filled with an interested and appreciative audience. The stage, draped with black curtains, and banked with flowers, palms, and pot plants, made an effective setting for the colourful frocks of the performers. Miss Woodhouse wore a handsome gown of peacock blue, panne, velvet, with georgette sleeves, the bodice trimmed with passementerie in long Vshaped lines. Miss Aileen Warren, who played all the accompaniments, wore a frock of cyclamen panne velvet, and, during the early part of the programme, a graceful fringed shawl of cyclamen faconne.

Some very pretty frocks were worn by members of the glee club, and of the soloists, Miss Hazel Richards wore black georgette, and Miss Elsie Prince black velvet with vivid pink shoulder flower. Miss Lilian Church's frock was of peach pink georgette beaded with crystal beads, and Miss Dorothy Willis wore a frock of salmon pink georgette beaded with deeper pink and white beads. Mrs Henley's frock was of black crepe de chine, with sash and large bow of black taffeta. Miss 'May Andrew's pretty dress was of ivory georgette with long lines of sequins and coloured floral motifs round the hem. Miss Belle Renaut wore a distinctive frock of black lace on vellum tinted georgette, and Miss Josephine Ramsay, a dainty white georgette frock with soft shoulder bow. Miss Airini Partridge wore black georgette embroidered in vivid colours at the waist-lino; Miss Maggie Richardson's French blue georgette frock was finished with a girdle of blue velvet, and Miss Thelma Harris's frock was of henna georgette beaded in long lines.