LOW BIRTH-RATE RECORD

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21866, 20 August 1936, Page 11

LOW BIRTH-RATE RECORD

Steady Decline , Continues REPORT DISCUSSES SOCIAL PROBLEMS [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON. August 19. A record low birth-rate for New Zealand last year is again shown In the annual report of the Department of Health, which was presented in the House of Representatives to-day by the Minister for Health, the Hon. P. Fraser. This statement has now been applied to the New Zealand birth-rate every year for the last 10 years. Births registered in the Dominion in 1935 numbered 23,965, as compared with 24,322 in tbe previous year. The birth-rate last year was Iff.is per 1000 of mean population, as against 16.47 in 1934.. The natural increase, or excess of births over deaths, was 11,748 persons, or only 0.80 per cent of the total population. Loss during the year in migration accounts lor the increase in population being - only o.®) per cent The deaths registered last year numbered a decrease of 310 over the figure for 1934. The death-rate per 1000 of mean I population was 3.22, as compared with 8.48 in 1934. The infant mortality rate showed a slight rise to 3226 per 1000 live births, as against 32.11 in 1934. The still-birth rate was 30.8 per 1000 live births. Fewer Notifiable Diseases The report states that the total number of notifiable diseases reported to the department was 3349. This is the second lowest figure since accurate records of notifications have been compiled for the Dominion. The death rate from tuberculosis was the lowest ever recorded, being 3.88' per 10.000. compared with '4.20 in 1934. , A. definite advance had been made in the campaign against this disease by the establishment of tuberculosis dimes in various parts of the North Island similar to those operating for a number of years in the South Island. The work of the New Zealand branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign Society was now exerting a widespread influence in tbe control of cancer in this country. The incidence of cancer among members of the native race had been the subject of enquiry by the society, and it was hoped that a statistical . study would enable it to get information on this point. , , A depressing feature of moaeip life was the nuznber of motor accidents which occurred, causing death, suffering. decreased efficiency, and economic loss. On the economic - side, an increased .burden was also being thrown on the hospital system for the provision of facilities and staff few the treatment of such cases. Serious Problem Remains ' The report states that in spite of the fact that deaths from septic abortion fell from 42 in 1934 to 23 last year, the problem still remained a serious one, and the best means of dealing with it were not dear. Seventeen of the women were married and • six single. “It cannot be disputed that practically all of the deaths from septic abortion are the results of attempts artificially to terminate pregnancy, either by the woman herself or by an abortionist,” added the report, “ha other words, they are the result of a highly dangerous attempt at birth controL Abortion being illegal in New Zealand, there are no means of estimating either the number of abortions due to deliberate interference or the permanent injury to health in the case of those who escape death. However. consideration of the whole problem leads one to the inevitable conclusion that the economic factor is the main one which leads to the practice of birth control by Dais method. Complete Provisions “In exnressing this opinion, it Is not intended* to create the •impression that costs incidental to childbirth present themselves as a serious factor. This can hardly be so. Provisions in. New Zealand for attendance on women during pregnancy and childbirth at a cost in accordance with their "means are very complete. Those who can pay little or nothing are efficiently and pleasantly provided for by toe majority of hospital boards and by the State maternity hospitals, and have available the same quantity of attendance as those who require no financial assistance. The housing shortage, as*a result of the recent economic depression, has probably played a considerable part. The problem _of septic abortion among unmarried women is a different problem. The motive to terminate pregnancy is obvious. It is essentially a social problem, as opposed to am economic one. It can safely be left in toe hands of the religious bodies and societies concerned in the questioq of giving . help to unmarried mothers.” INVESTIGATION TO BE MADE SPECIAL COMMITTEE SET I? < [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.! WELLINGTON, August 19. The appointment of a committee to enquire into the incidence of septic abortion ampng both married and single women in New Zealand was announced later by the Minister * for Health, the Hon. P. Fraser. The members of the committee are as follows: Dr. D. G. McMillan, MP. (chairman}; Dr. T. P. Cor kill (Wellington}, president of the New Zealand Obstetrical Society; Dr. Sylvia Chapman, medical superintendent of St, Helens Hospital, Wellington: Mrs Janet Fraser (Wellington); Dr. T. L. Paget inspector of private hospitals. Department of Health, Wellington. The Minister said that it was recognised that the problem of reducing the occurrence of septic abortion was not merely a medical matter, but that other factors of a social and economic character entered into the question. Recently the New Zealand Obstetrical Society had passed a resolution urging the Government to set up a committee of enquiry to investigate and report on the whole subject and the Government had decided to accede to that request