MATTER OF GRAVE CONCERN

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 261, 4 August 1928, Page 8

MATTER OF GRAVE CONCERN

DOMINION’S FALLING BIRTHRATE LAST YEAR’S FIGURES THE • LOWEST YET'The lowest birth-rate yet recorded in New Zealand was that of last year, according to the annual report of the Health Department presented to Parliament yesterday. The death-rate was shown at S.lo per 1000 of population, as against 5.74 in 1926. The infantile mortality rate, 38.74 per 1000, was slightly less than the previous year. “The birth-rate of ‘>o ”9 per 1000,” states the DirectorGeneral (Dr. T. H. A. Valintine), “is not satisfactory. It is the lowest yet recorded in the country. This is a matter of grave concern. I have no sympathy with advocates ol biitlic’ontrol, who appear to be overjoyed by tlie fact that relatively fewer children are being born in a country so favoured as New Zealand, for, as stated in a previous report, ‘there is no doubt that our population is best replenished and our empty spaces best tilled by our own natural increase. The new-born infant, in other words, is our best immigrant.’ ” Tuberculosis. The tuberculosis death-rate of 4.56 per 1000 of the mean population is the lowest so far recorded in the Dominion. Since 18<2 the figures have fallen from 12.66 to 4.86. Nevertheless, the Inspector-General states that lie lias been much concerned at the demands, through their boards, of certain medical superintendents, particularly in the South Island, for increased sanatorium accommodation. Tlie matter, however, was brought to a climax by tlie application of the medical superintendent, through tlie North Canterbury Board, for additional accommodation for chronic tubercular cases in connection with the Cashmere Sanatorium. Dr. Valintine comments adversely on the action of the board and tlie superintendent for not awaiting tlie report of a committee of recognised physicians on the accommodation in the two islands.

The death-rate from cancer is an improvement on that of the preceding year. The maternal mortality rate, 4.91 per 1000 live births, is an increase on the preceding year’s rate.

Dr. Valintine commends what is being done in dental hygiene, 390,000 operations having been performed by dental nurses since 1923.