INCREASE IN BIRTH-RATE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 12 February 1927, Page 12

INCREASE IN BIRTH-RATE.

IN DOMINION URBAN AREAS. DEATH-RATE ADVANCES. According to figures compiled by the Government Statistician, the birthrate in the 14 urban areas of the Dominion during 1926 show an increase for th e . first time in six years. The statistics of births and deaths covering the 'whole Dominion for 1926 are not yet available. As, however, the urban areas comprise approximately 50 per cent of the total population of the Dominion, a good indication can be obtained as to the general position. The urban areas, in the aggregate, invariably have a somewhat lower birth-rate and somewaht higher rates of deaths and of infantile mortality, than the Dominion as a whole. The Dominion birth-rate figures for the first nine months of the year 1926 show a slight decrease over the same period for the previous year, but as a great proportion of the increase in the urban area figures occurred during the latter three months of the year, it is vet possible that a similar occurrence in the Dominion figures will result in an increase in the general birth-rate. The urban death-rate also shows an incease over 1925. mainly due to the winter epidemics of influenza and whooping cough, which took a substantial toll of lives. There can be little doubt that the general deathrate will also lie in excess of that Recorded during 1925. The urban figures for infantile mortality, on the other hand, indicate that the Dominion rate for 1926 will approximate the remarkable succession of low rates established in recent years.

Comparing the figures relating to the causes of death for 1925 .and 1926 noteworthy decreases, are indicated in the eases of infantile paralysis 182) premature birth (15). appendicitis’ (11). and diarrhoea and enteritis under two years (9). The outstanding increases are cerebral haemorrhage and apoplexy (90). influenza (88). nephritis (75). accident (68). whooping cough (601, senility (55). cancer (51). bronchitis (32). and tuberculosis (28).