Not “White Man’s Grave’’

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 189, 12 August 1936, Page 3

Not “White Man’s Grave’’

HEALTH OF WEST AFRICA West Africa can no longer with justice be termed "the White Man’s Grave.” This is evident from the ‘Vital Statistics of Non-native Officials, ’ issued recently by the Crown Agents for the Colonies. They show that a remarkable all-round improvement has taken place during the past 30 years. In 1005 the number of Europeans in service in Gambia, Sierra Leone, the | Gold Cost, and Nigeria was 1,491. In ‘ 1935 the number was more than doubled I-—2,995, including 134 women officials—yet tho number of deaths during the year was only 15, as compared with 42 in 1905. The death-rate per 1,000 fell in the 30 years from 28. Ito 5.1, and the average length of service of those who died increased from three anil a half years to 10 years and eight months. The number of persons invalided in 1905.. was 93. With mere than double the number in the service in 1935, only 37 persons were invalided. The rate per 1,000 fell from 62.3 to 124. The average length of service of thoso invalided rose from two yea r s ar d seven months to 10 years. During 1905 300 officials left the service after serving an average of three years and one month. Last year 255 loft, with an average service of nine and a-half years. The average service of women officials -who left in 1935 was six years. Their average was less than in tho case of the men because seven of them resigned in order to be married after short periods of service. Of the 15 deaths in 1935, only two were due to tropical diseases. Four were the result of accidents. Tho 1935 figures show an improvement over those for The deathrate per 1,000 was 1.4 lower, and there were four fewer invalidings,