INDIA’S POPULACE

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1933, Page 6

INDIA’S POPULACE

RAPIDITY OF INCREASE

CALCUTTA, September 8

Grave concern has been caused by 'the continued rapid increase of India’s population under the move favourable conditions of British rule.

Canals, railways and roads thu s made .practicable have secured life and property, prompted education, and improved hygiene, industry, and agriculture. These' factors have added another 100,000,000 to the population, and intensified 'the struggle for existence.

General Megaw, head of the Indian Medical Service, has just published some startling figures.

Among India's 353,000,000 people are 13,000,000 suffering from venereal diseases, 4,000,000 from night blindness, due to dietetic deficiency, 2,000,000 .from .ricketg, 2,000,000 from tuberculosis and 1,000,000 from leprosy.

Child-bearing begins in India on the average at under 16 ? years. -Infant, mortality is 280 per 1000, and maternal mortality 40 per 1000. Malaria mortality 'runs in*o mi11i0n5,,...; . It is pointed out. that if one-tenth, of the .energy and passion expended on political ,'.chaijge were, devoted to .cony sfructive proposals that would meet the peril to the poorly-nourished populace, untold suffering- . would be- prevented...