POPULATION OF DOMINION

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1932, Page 2

POPULATION OF DOMINION

UNBROKEN GROWTH. INTERESTING FIGURES. The population of New Zealand, its dependencies, and the mandated territory of Western Samoa at April 1, 1031 is given in tlie “New Zealand Olllcial Year Be ok,” as over one and a half million. Details are as follows, the figures for males being given first and for females second:— Population (exclusive of Maoris) of New Zealand proper, 735,965, 706,781. Maori population of New Zealand proper, 35,526, 32,668. Population (inclusive of Maoris) of New Zealand proper, 771,491, 739,449. Total (males and females), 1,510,940. Population ,'of Cook Islands and Niue 7601. 732.7; Tokelau Island (Novcmbcr, 1029), 467, 502. Mandated territory of 'Western Samoa, 23,781, 21,868. ‘ Totals (inelusive of dependencies): Males, 803,370; females, 769,139; aggregate, 1,572,509. It is pointed out that the outstanding note of the history of population movement in New Zealand is cno ut unbroken growth. The following have been the aver.' go annual percentage in-

creases at sio'cessivo census enumerations irom Lin, first general census onwards;—lßsß, 12.11; 1861, 18.70; 1864, 20.51; 1867, 8.1.5 : 1871, 5.11 ; 1874. 5.32 ; 1878, 8.43; 1881, 5.58; 1886, 3.39; 1891, 1.61; 1806.2.33; 1901, 1.91; 1906, 2.79; 1011, 2.60; 1916, 1.57; 1921, 2.32; 1926, 2.05.’ A V Kit A 0 K AN 2 1U A L I X CR KM KXT. The average annua) population increased during the. ten post-war years 1919-28, exeei iled 30,000. In 1928 the population again fell to 16.071, but showed a slight rise to 1i,442 in 1.329, and a further rise lo 19 325 in 19,10. Apart from War years, which wefre affected by movements of troops, these are tlie lowest absolute increases since 1.900, and the lowest relative increases, With the except on of 1888, ever recorded. Contributing causes are stated to be the continued fall in the birth rate, which lias now reached a low Jevei below half that of fifty years ago, and the .shrinkage of the normal

excess of overseas arrivals over departures. The final criterion of the Dominion’s growth in respect of population, it is pointed out, is supplied by a comparison of the rates of increase of other poi tions of the British Empire and of various foreign countries. Contrasted with some European countries, the Dominion is experiencing a rapid growth, for they are “emigration” countries, while New Zealand is an “immigration” country. Contrasted on the other hand, with Canada and Australia., the comparison is not altogether favourable, to New Zealand, although the former countries are much older in point of settlement. Another factor is that Canada is, of course, comparatively close to the sources of immgrant population, wJiillp both Canada and Australia also still have vast areas undeveloped. THE BIRTH RATE, Up to the seventies New Zealand was dependent on migration for the greater portion of her increase in population, but since then natural increase (excess of births over deaths) has been the principal factor. For a few years (1888-91) there was actually an excess of departures over arrivals. Over the whole period 1861-1930 migration accounted for 37 per cent, of the total increase, excess of births over deaths accounted for 63 per cent. From 1901 to 1930 the former is responsible for 31 nor cent., and the latter for 69 per rent, of the jnereaxe

of population The most fruitful five-vearly period in respect of population gained through migration was that of tie' gold rush period nearly seventy years, ago. With n stable birth rate the natural increase, would show mounting numbers, whereas actually the peak occurred jn 1911-15, and the shrinking birth rate has r ,, diieeil numbers accruing from this source.

The actual increase of population (excluding Maoris) during the calendar year 1930 was !9.325. as compared with 17,442 in 1929. Of the. total estimated population of 1,142,716, excluding Maoijs. at March 31, 1931, adults numbered 882,631 (males 449,586, females 433,065). OVERSEAS ARRIVALS. Including crews of vessels, 80,81) persons from overseas arrived in New

Zealand in 1930, which, compared with 1929, shows a decrease of 4157. In the same period 76,068 persons departed. This figure, compared with corresponding one for 1929, shows a decrease of 5909. The gain by migration to the Dominion’s population during 1930 was thus 4747, ns compared with 2995 in 1929. Excluding members of crews of vessels, 32,559 persons arrived in the Dominion during the calendar year 1930. Of these, 6917 v ere immigrants intending permanent residence in the country, as compared with 6343 of a similar class in 1929. The vast majority of these immigrants, 0518, or 94.2 per cent., came from British Isles, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Fiji and India. Out of the total of 6917 there were 309 persons of foreign nationality.

I Under the heading of “race aliens” it is pointed out that at March 31, 1931, the approximate numbers of the principal alien races present in New j Zealand were: Chinese 2854, Indians 1166 and Syrians 980. DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION In the census year 1926 the popula- ' tion (excluding Maoris) of the North j Island was 831,813, and that of the ' South Island (including Stewart and Chatham Islands) 512.656, giving tlu* I following proportions per cent: —North 1 Island 61.87: South Island, 38.13. A i feature of recent years has been the 3,steady trend of population to the j North Island!. The “Year Book” Hates that the natural increase of I population (excess of births over deaths) for the South Island in 1930 I was 5001, yet the total increase was only 3138, § net “drift” of 1866 is therefore disclosed. For the Noli 1 1 Eland (and the figures iu each ca:e i arc exclusive of Maoris) the natural increase was 9594 and the total 16,187.

( Tim estimated population, jnciu-uve |of Maoris, of the various provincial 1 districted, as at April 30, 1931, was |as Hollows:—Auckland, 512,700; Mawkes Bay, 75.900: Taranaki, 75.800; Wellington, 310.455; Marlborough, 19,5^0; Not :ii. 52,600: WHI land, 16.100; Canterbury, 227.005; Ol.u"o, 152.600; Southland, 68.100. ! Total,' 1,511.360.