YEAR OF MANY DEATHS

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 July 1937, Page 12

YEAR OF MANY DEATHS

FEWER BOYS ARE BORN. Nature’s response to such environment as economic uplift, and climatic austerity may be considered to be reflected to some extent in the Mtai statistics of New Zealand over the period of the past two years. In that time, counting the year as from April to April, the natural increase in populaiion was 267 less last year than m the preceding 12 months. “Empty cradles?” suggests the protagonist against limitation of familities. That is not the explanation supported by the figures, which disclose that last vear. a period that might be regarded as the first year after the depression had substantially lifted, the number of births in New Zealand was 24.731 as compared with 24.105 the previous year, an increase of 626. How then does this increase come to be wiped out, and turned into a deficit of practically equal figures? Reference to the figures shown in the Government's most recent abstract of statistics reveals that last year’s unusually heavy death roll of 13,165 was responsible. Nearly 1000 more people died in New Zealand last year (April. 1936 to April, 1937) than in the 12 months immediately preceding. The actual increase in the' number of deaths was 593.

Having emerged a step further from the dark period of the depression, the country showed a marked increase in the number of births —626 more last year to March 31 than in the previous year. In this increase of babies is observable a sharp change in the incidence of the sexes. The year of which the greater proportion fell in 1935 was distinguished in its birth-rate by a preponderance of 525 boys in a total of 24,105 births. Last year the balance tilted sharply back, giving boys a margin over girls of only 369 in a a total of 24,731.

This swing in the balance of the sexes leaves a nice field for speculation among those interested. Reflection may also be given to the suggestion that the abnormally depressing climatic conditions had a bearing on the heavy increase in last year’s deathroll. Of special interest from another angle is an analytical table made from the returns of the principal cause of death in New Zealand urban areas, covering 551 cases. This shows heart trouble as much the most common malady causing death, accounting for 152 victims out of the number considered, while cancer, with 82 fatal cases, ranked next. Apoplexy caused 31 deaths. Bright's disease 23, and tuberculosis 18. Seven people were listed as having died as the result of motor accidents, and 16 from other accidental causes.