VITAL STATISTICS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2932, 5 September 1925, Page 2

VITAL STATISTICS.

“A WONDERFUL YEAR.” “So far as the vital statistics are concerned 1924 was a wonderful year,” declares the annual report of the Health Department. “The actual death rate was 8.29 per 100 of mean population; the infant mortality rate was 40.2 per 1000 births; and the tuberculosis death rate was 5.07 per 10,000 of mean population. TlioCse all constitute record figures as far as New Zealand is concerned, and compare more than favourably with corresponding rates for other countries. The low birth rate (21.7 per 1000 of mean population) and the continued high rate of still-births 30.5 per 1000 live births) are disquieting features of the returns. There is no doubt that our population is best replenished and our empty spaces best filled by our own natural increase. The new-born infant, in other words, is our best iinmigra nt.”

The material mortality rate (5.0 per 1000 births) was, adds the report almost as high as in 1923, despite the active campaign embarked upon for its reduction. Such u result was not wholly unexpected, however, as the measures had hardly had time to exert their influence. Against that, the mortality rate of infants under one month showed a gratifying and suggestive decline. The rate for the sear under review was 24 per 1900 births.