GROWTH OF POPULATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8350, 10 February 1913, Page 6

GROWTH OF POPULATION

. The particulars given in the last “Gazette” concerning tho population of New Zealand and its growth are ot considerable interest. Excluding Maoris, the estimated population at the end ot 1911 is given as 1,065,143. This show* an increase in twelve months of 27,139, equal to 2.65 per cent. Rather more than two-thirds of the increase is due to reproduction and tho remainder to immigration, the respective figures being 18,212 and 8927. The birth-rato for the year was 26.48 per thousand of population. This is nothing, to boast about, certainly though ‘it is higher than in the two preceding years. in« comparatively small rate of births in New Zealand is not abnormal, and is consistent with the declining tendency throughout the civilised world. This is a question wide and complex'which wo do not wish to enter into just now. Wo are, however, entitled to say that there is considerable compensation to bo found in our very low death-rate. Last year there were only 8.95 deaths per thousand of population—tho . lowest that has ever been reached in New Zealand or in any country that publishes vital statistics. Some credit for this happy state of affairs is certainly due -to the humane policy of Liberalism in advancing tho general health of the community and especially in checking infantile mortality. Subtracting the deaths from tho births, wo find that the margin—that is, , the rate of increase by reproduction—-amounts.. .to 17.53 per thousand, which is hardly exceeded by the most prolific peoples of tho world. The total centesimal increase of population recorded in New Zealand last year is among the highest of which we can find any trace in international statistics with the exceptions of Canada and Queensland. The position, on the whole, suggests that there is no violent need for Mr Massey’s proposed importation of 25,000 workers annually. We do not want to see an army of people looking for one another’s employment, throughout the country. Moreover, if the slaughtermen’s boards are filling as rapidly as is reported, the Government might profitably revise its views on tho question of immigration.