THE BIRTH RATE.

Evening Star, Issue 23686, 20 September 1940, Page 6

THE BIRTH RATE.

Co.ncek.v continues to be shown by those who look into the future about the fall in the birth rate in this Dominion. It certainly presents a very serious problem. Where at one time a family of six was common, such a number is seldom noted to-day. How unsatisfactory the position has become is revealed in statistics in the Official Year Book. The decline in the birth rate in New Zealand has been accompanied until recent years by a decrease in the death rate. Nevertheless, the nominal rate of natural increase of population has fallen from 31.19 per 1,000 of mean population in 1870 to 8.22 in 1938. In the report of the Department of Health for this year it is stated that the births of 28,833 living children were registered during 1939, an increase of 1,584 over the previous year. The birth rate per 1,000 of mean population was ig.73. The lowest level was reached in 1935, when the rate was 16.17 ; it has increased each year since then, the figures being 16.64, 17.29,

17.93, and 13.73. The last-mentioned rate is the highest since 1930. While some satisfaction can be gained from rising tendency of the birth rate, the increasing percentage of first births to total births indicates that it is largely the result of the increase in the marriage rate during recent years. New Zealand’s future, says the report, cannot be viewed' without misgiving unless the position continues to improve. That in the immediate future cannot be expected. The war is drawing heavily on the young men of this country, and large numbers are already overseas and may be absent for a considerable period. What is revealed of the position in this country applies to the white population of the Empire, where the dwindling of the birth rate occasions the greatest anxiety to economists and others who are interested in public affairs. France to-day provides an illustration of the evils that are accompanied by a restricted birth rate. The lesson is not lost on Germany and Italy, where the Governments have resorted to artificial means to keep the birth rate at a high figure. At the meeting of the Otago Education Board this week the secretary, in a statement on the attendance returns for the schools of this province, said: “Our numbers are still falling, although, not very much. Every year thqy go down one hundred or so.” In the annual report presented to the board last year the drift to leeward is clearly indicated. The population in 1911 was 132,402 and the school roll 20,309. In 1930, with an increase in the population estimated at 18,958, the numbers on the roll were 2,364 less. If the school figures had kept pace with the population increase they • should last year have reached 26,513. This falling school attendance can be definitely attributed to smaller families, clue largely to the outook on life by many people, who prefer ease and pleasure to the responsibilities of raar i ried lifq recognised by earlier generations.