The Dominion. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1915. THE FALLING BIRTH-RATE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2402, 6 March 1915, Page 6

The Dominion. SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 1915. THE FALLING BIRTH-RATE

The population statistics recently issued by the New Zealand Government Statistician may be regarded as fairly satisfactory on the whole, though the population of 1 the Dominion is not increasing as rapidly as might reasonably be expected. The death-rate is remarkably lowindeed it is the lowest in the world. For the year 1914 it was 9.31 per 1000 of population, as against 9.47 for the preceding year. For the period 1871-75 the rats was 12.67. Since then it has gradually fallen until it reached the extremely low figure of 8.87 in 1912. From this point of view New Zealand has a very fine record; but when we come to consider the Inrth-rate a,nd the natural increase of population, we find that a much less favourable state of affairs is disclosed. For the period 1871-76 the birth-rate per thousand of population was 39.88; in 1914 it was only 25.99. The natural increase of population has fallen from 31.19 per thousand in 1870 to 16.68 last year. The downward trend of the birth-rate is a matter that should receive the serious attention of thoughtful people. The gravity of tho position is increased by the fact that the great conflict in which the Empire is now engaged is bound to have an adverse influence on the growth of_ population, and a high birth-rate is a very potent factor in enabling a nation to make a rapid recovery from the ravages of war. The vast resources of the British Empire cannot be fully developed unless a steady and substantial increase of population is maintained, but recent statistics show that there is a most regrettable tendency on the. part of a large section of nearly every British community to shirk their responsibilities in this matter.

As regards the birth-rate, New Zealand shows signs of falling behind Australia, and the Australian statistics do not disclose a very satisfactory position. In 1909 the rate for the Dominion (27.29 per thousand of' population) was higher than the average of the Commonwealth (26.69), but in 1913 the Australian rate increased to 28.25, whereas the New Zealand figures fell to 26.14. Tho following table giving the New Zealand statistics for various periods since 1876 will give a clear idea of the trend of the Ijirth and death rates, the figures given being per thousand of the population:— Natural. Births. Deaths. increase. 1876-1880 ... 41.21 11.80 29,11 1886-1890 ... 31.15 9.85 21.30 3896-1900 ... 25.75 9.55 16.20 1906-1910 ... 27.06 9.75 17.30 1911 25.97 9.39 16.58 1912 20.48 • 8.87 17.01 1913 26.14 9.17 16.G7 1914 25.99 9.31 16.68 It will be noticed that the birth-rate for last .yea-r is hot tbe lowest on record, It fell to 25.87 in. 1911;. it was as low as 25.75 for the jperio*i