New Zealand's Birth Rate.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 8 November 1911, Page 3

New Zealand's Birth Rate.

Last year New Zealand with 26.17 births per 1,003 of population, had the lowest rate in. Australasia, with the exception of Victoria. This is not a new experience for New Zealand. As far back as 1880-2, New Zealand was bolow all the Australian States except Victoria, but at intervals this country has shown up a little better in the comparison with the sister countries across the Tasman Sea. For the year ended 31st March, .1911, the births in N«w Zealand were 25,984, against 26 524 for the previous year. Thus, while the population increased, ttie total of births declined. The infantile death-rate also moved up from 61.6 to 67.7 per thousand bkths. The increase in the deaths is set down to exceptional causes, including premature birth, but the higher rate under this heading for the year is something to cause anxiety. For the past decade New Zealand's birth-rate has been fairly steady—just under and over 27. Thirty j'ears ago the rate was over 35, but m common wilh other British countries the figures have gradually dwindled. For the' 1889-98 decade the births averaged 4.36 to a marriage," for the next ten years tho average was 3.26, and the decline has not ceased. New Zealanders, like their brethren overseas, are growing more fondof pleasure and less fond of parental worries aud responsibilities. Tho statistics show everywhere that the marriage age is rising.