WELLINGTON NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1929, Page 3

WELLINGTON NEWS

POPULATION ST ATI STICS

(Special Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, May 18

Bulletin No. o2 prepared by the Department of Economies, Canterbury College, and circulated hv the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, deals with population- and migration. Britain’s density of population is 480 per square mile and the Irish Free State 110, whereas the four Dominions—Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand—have an average of only seven persons per square mile. Some allowance must be made for variations and habitability; part of Canada is too cola, of Australia and South Africa too dry, and New Zealand too mountainous ever to support close settlement. The population, distribution of the j.)ominions is very small, but then it must be remembered that tiie countries are relatively young. It would, of course, he advantageous to the Empire if there were a more equal distribution of population. Within the present century more than six million British emigrants have left the United Kingdom, hut of these more than a third have gone to the United States. British financiers and industrialises have not taken that keen interest in the dominions, especially Australia and New Zealand, that is now being manifested, and when that interest develops to the point of industrial enterprise, immigration which is now suspended, into New Zealand will increase.

Dealing more particularly with New Zealand the Bulletin states that in the past New Zealand increased more rapidly than any other country. For the 44 years 1881-1925 New Zealand led the world with an average increase of 23 per 1000, Australia ranked next with 22, then came the United States with 19, and Canada 18 per 1000. But in the previous decade, 1870-80, New Zealand’s natural increase alone was more than 28 per 1000. In addition she took about 14,000 immigrants per year, and the total increase was about 50 per 1000 per year. The Bulletin directs attention to the fact that within New Zealand there have been two marked movements in population statistics during the past half century, the ‘‘drift to the North,’ and tho “ urban drift.” In 1881 the population of the North Island was in round figures 193,000 and the South Island 297.000, the South Island per cent of the total being 60.6 and the North Island 39.4. By 1901 the North Island percentage had risen to 50.5 per cent'., while the Sou till Island had shrunk to 49.5 per cent. Since their the difference between the two islands has ljecome most marked. B.v 1926 the North Island percentage of the total population had risen to 61.9 per cent, while the South Island percentage declined to 38.1 per cent, the population of the North Island being returned at 832,000 and that of the South Island 513'000. From the ’sixties population was attracted to the South by the discoveries of gold, the areas of flat land ready for settlement and the freedom of troubles with the Maoris. Contrasted with the South Island the North was inaccessible, heavily forested in much of the interior and the scene of serious strife between the settlers and natives. From 1881, however, differences with the Maoris was practically settled,, and the introduction of refrigeration, making the export of meat, dairy produce, etc. possible, turned some attention from the wool and wheat farming then principally in vogue to the possibilities of dairying and meat production. Ihe more rapid progress of the North Island in recent years is due laigely to the later period at which development began. There is evidence, however, that though the movement continues, its r ;te of progress has slowed down. Some concern has been expresesd regarding the increasing proportion of the population living in towns. In 1896 the rural population was 61.95 per cent of the total population and the urban population 38.05 per cent. In 1926 the urban population had risen to 51.62 per cent and had declined to 43.38 per cent. It is pointed put that the greater part of the movement has occurred since 1911, and is apparently still proceeding. The Bulletin explains that since the ’nineties there has been a considerable improvement in the standard of life of all classes. As standards rise a smaller proportion of each income, on average, is spent on foods, a larger proportion on comforts and 'luxuries. Hence a smaller proportion of a, country population is needed to live in the country when (food is produced and a larger proportion may live in the towns, where comforts and luxuries are produced and distributed. Furthermore, the technique of farming lias improved, requiring a smaller number of men, and the development of motor transport has made travelling easy and encouraged the growth of the cities.