The Press. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1891.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7868, 20 May 1891, Page 4

The Press. WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 1891.

The results of the census returns taken on April sth last appear in another column. It will be seen that the population of the colony on that date was 618,688, showing an increase since the last census of ouly 40,206. It cannot be said that, the figured are encouraging* The increase is , very much lees than during any of the previous census periods, During the interval our population has only increased at the rate of 6.95 per cent. Taking some of the previous periods the above .percentage is by no means satisfactory. Between 1881 and 1886, for example, we added to our numbers 88,549, or at the rate of 18.07 per cent. Between March 3rd, 1878, and April 3rd, 1881, an interval of three years and one month the increase was 18.22 per oentu Between March lit, 1874, and March

1 3rd, 1878, an interval of four years* the rate of inorease waa 38.86 per and between Febwwy 27th, 1871, and Maroh let, 1874, the increase was 16.82 per cent. Leaving out the phenomenal period between 1874 and 1878, when a large scheme of assisted immigration was in full operation, the average increase has been over 17 per cent., but during the last five years it has fallen to less than 7 per cent. We have said that the population, according to the census, was 618,688. On the other band, we find that the estimated population on December 31st last was 630,781, showing an error, in the estimate of 12,091. Indeed the error is evidently larger than we have stated it to be. Aocording to the returns, 1329 persons left the colony during January, February, and Maroh last. Oα the other hand, the increase of births over deaths, taking the average of the last few years, must have been at least 3000. The error, therefore, really amounts to about 13,000. This is not the first time that the number of the population enumerated has turned out less than the estimate. Between 1881 and 18S6 there was an over-estimate of more thau 7000. In 1886 the Kegistrar-Geueral stated that steps had been taken to obtain more accurate returns of the arrivals and departures for the future, but it would appear that he has failed to be successful, the error for the past year being nearly double that of the previous period. According to the annual statistics, the increase of births over deaths between March 28th, 1886, and December 31st, 1890, was 61,409. On the other hand, the excess of departures over arrivals was put down at 9,112, thus showing an increase up to December 31st last of 52,297. It turns out that the departure were really over 20,000. The total increase up to April stb, as wo have seen, was only 40,206. Looking at the returns from another point) of view, we find that iv the North Islaud there were 274,253 persons, in the Middle Island and Stewart Islands 344,157, in the Chathams 259, and in the Kermadeo Islands 19. At the last census the figures were—North Island, 250,480; Middle Island, including Stewart leland, 327,801; and in the Chathams, 199. The inorease during the past five years has therefore been as follows:— North Island 23,771 South and Stewart Islands ... 16,356 Chathams ... ... ... 60 Kermadec ... ... ... 19 Total 40,206 It is not surprising to learn that the North leland has increased at a greater rate than the South Island. The recent opening up of land in the Wellington provincial district and the rapid extension of settlement) there have been well known, and the only surprising thing about the figures is that the advance has not been greater, The population of the Middle and. Stewart Islands still exceeds that of the North by 69,904, but as time goes on and the Native lands get opened up it may be expected that the populations will become equalised, if the inhabitants of the North do nob even exceed those of the Middle. Compared with the progress disclosed by some of the' larger colonies on the Australian continent, the comparative stagnation shown above is matter for serious thought. It was probably inevitable that the stoppage of the large expenditure on public wor&s would lead to the lose of a certain part of our population. But when we are brought face to face with the discouraging fact that during the past five years over 20,000 persons must have left our shores in excess of arrivals, it becomes the duty of every one to seriously consider our position. That the colony has passed through a severe orisie no one will deny. The mere fact that since 1887 the Government has been engaged in the task of endeavoring to arrauge the finances in accordance with our altered circumstanced, is proof that the colony had been suffering from a wide spread depression. But the rapid bound forward which our exports showed during the last two years was an encouraging fact. Confidence in the ability of New Zealand to meet her engagements was established and there were many indications that we had succeeded in actually facing the position. It was not a case of the Treasury alone having to face grave difficulties. Several commercial institutions having wide operations throughout the colony had passed through a period of great, difficulty successfully. The public Treasury had at length been placed in a position to disolose a handsome surplus, and there were signs that after the late labor trouble had ended, the settlers and producers of New Zealand might look forward to a period of comparative progress and prosperity. It cannot be said that these prospeots are as bright as they were. Ministers do not appear to realise that by their blundering and meddlesome interference they are doing their best to bring about a state of things from whioh the colony has only been slowly and painfully recovering. It can safely be affirmed that there is a far less hopeful feeling prevailing at the present time than was the case, say, even twelve months ago. No one knows what is going to happen, and as a natural consequence we are drifting back to the condition of affairs four or five years ago. Disastrous as the exodus during the past five years has been, it may very likely continue and extend unless Ministers are induced to abandon their revolutionary proceedings.