THE BIRTH RATE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1930, Page 2

THE BIRTH RATE

RECORD LOW LEVEL

COMMENT BY Dll. VALIN TINE. WELLINGTON, August 7. The fact that the Dominion’s birthrate last yea.r was the lowest on record gives rise to comment by Ike Direcioiuieneral of Health, Ur. T. H. A. Valjiitine, in the annual report of the Health Department, presented to the House of Representatives to-day. The actual death rate for the Dominion for the year was 8.(5 per I<X.o’ ol t-lio mean population, tlie Direcfccr-den-e-ral stated. In 1928. the death rate was 8.49. The infantile mortality was 31.10 which showed a remarkable fall on the previous year’s rate, of 36.18. The birth rate per 1000- of the mean papulation was 19.01 compared with 19.50 lor 1928. The total number of births registered was 26.747, being 4c5 below the total for 1928. This was the lowest birth-rate recorded in the Dominion, a matter of grave concern.

Dr. Yalintine quoted the following statement by Dr. Riley, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Medical School, (Dunedin, upon the question of birth control: “No country e;in remain virile unless the population is at least stationary. If it is to he progressive there must be increased population. If people marry they should take the responsibilities of marriage. What is wanted is courage to face all the difficulties and sometimes even the hardships of married life, and more of the old pioneering spirit, which enabled the makers of this cou’ntrv to carve out- a future almost with their hare hands. What is wanted in New Zealand is an adjustment of values. The petty social round, the theatres, concerts, cinema pictures, the encumbrance of our houses with useless and unnecessary adornments a>e nothing to- the joy and interest of little children. Children are the best- insurance against old age. Their voices heln to renew our youth.”

“It is interesting to note the fall in the death rate of our Maori pomilation.” says Dr. Yalintine. “The birthrate of 33.58 per 1000 is in striking contrast to the rate’ of 19.01 for the European population.” • ! TUBERCULOSIS. -The death rate of 4.56 per 10,000 -of mean population established a record for tube'rculosiS.* The rate for 1928 was- 5:02/ ' During the year the public generously subscribed to the Christmas seal coiripaign with a result that the amount of £2500 would be available as a nucleus for the establishment of permanent- health camps inn the Dominion for treatment of children specially liable to tuberculosis, 1 The co-operation of the Post and Telegraph Department, by which special!, stamps were sold at the Post Offices throughout the Dominion, which made this appeal possible, was greatly appreciated.

CANCER’S TOLL. . Tlie death rate from cancer 10.43 was tlie highest on record. It was a moot point whether this increase was real, or only apparent, and due to the increasing proportion of older age groups in the population; and to improved facilities for diagnosis. The important fact was that cancer was an too’prevalent, and this should act as a stimulus to the campaign inaugurated by the New Zealand branch of tlie British Empire Cancer Campaign Society. This Society had made an excellent beginning, and showed promise of becoming a very real force. The appointment hv the Society of Dr. H. M. Begg, of tlie staff of the Imperial Cancer Research Committee, London, for research work in New Zealand, was in line with the policy of the Society’s Committee.