N.Z. Population Has increased By 11 Per Cent.

Northern Advocate, 4 January 1946, Page 4

N.Z. Population Has increased By 11 Per Cent.

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Commenting today on the interim results of the recent census, the Minister in Change of the Census and Statistics Department (Rt. Hon. W. Nash) said the returns disclosed an increase in the pppulation of 128,413, or 8.2 per cent., to the present figure of 1,702.223. This total, however, related only to persons resident in New Zealand at the taking of the census. The addition of 44,096 members of the armed forces who were overseas at the date of the census brings the tctal increase to 172,509. or 11 per cent., and the total present population to 1,746,319.

Exclusive of Maoris, but allowing for troops overseas, the percentage 1 rate of increase during the 9J years’ period 1936-45 (10.6 per cent.) is only a fraction lower than that for the 10year period 1926-36, when the rate of increase was 10.9 per cent. JUST HOLDING ITS OWN The net reproduction rate (the population is just reproducing itself when ihe rate is .1) has steadily increased from 0.970 in 1936 to 1.274 in 1941, since when it has receded slightly to 1.207 in 1944. A too optimistic conclusion about the growing birthrate is, however, checked by reference to the census period 1921-26. during which five years an increase in population amounting to 10.7 was recorded. INCREASE IN CITIES, TOWNS Mr. Nash said that cities and boroughs which hud contributed 115,906 of the total increase (excluding those in the Forces) of 128,413, now' contained 63.1 per cent, of the population compared with 59.3 per cent, in 1936. Independent town districts recorded an increase of 5225. while on preliminary figures dependent town districts showed a decrease of seven. Counties showed an increase of only 6280. A small balance of the total recorded increase was accounted for by the population on board shin and on adjacent islands, where they were not part of the counties AUCKLAND LEADS Most of the urban increase had been in the larger centres. Foremost was Auckland City, the industrial development of which had resulted in a gain of 20.983 or 2G.5 per cent., while contiguous districts had increased substantially. Auckland urban area shewed a total increase of 51.416. Wellington urban area occupied second place for a similar reason. The most spectacular had ‘ been the growth in population of Lower Hutt City from 17.772 in 1936. to 31,190 in 1945, representing 75.5 per cent, increase and accounting fer the major part of the increase of 22,916 shown for Wellington urban area.