INFANT MORTALITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21296, 24 September 1932, Page 13

INFANT MORTALITY

RECORD LOW RATE FEWER FIRST MONTH DEATHS BIRTH RATE DECLINING [by TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL HE; OUTER] WELLINGTON. Friday A record low infant mortality rate of 32.15 per 1000 live births is described as one of the outstanding features of the year in the annual report of the Department of Health, which was tabled in the House of Representatives to-day. A particularly gratifying feature of the infant statistics is that the first month mortality of infants at last appears to be permanently falling to a lower level. In 1927 tho infant mortality rate under one month was 25.83, while in 1931 it was 22.69.

The still-birth rate of 30.4 per 1000 live births is slightly lower than for the preceding year, when it was 32.3. "Perhaps one of the least satisfactory features of the statistics is the decline in birth rate," continues the report. "This is progressive and continuing, the tendency rate having declined from 20.29 per 1000 of mean population in 1927 to 18.42 in 1931. This downward tendency is not peculiar to New Zealand, and it is seen in an even more marked extent in Great Britain, where the birth rate has reached 16.3.

"Undoubtedly this phenomenon is partly a reflex of the present economic position, and indications are that the rate will continue to fall further in New Zealand, as the marriage rate for 1931 was lower than at any time for the past five years." MORTGAGORS TO CROWN STATE ADVANCES POLICY TREATMENT UPON MERITS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Friday Replying to Mr. W. Nash (Labour — Hutt) in the House to-day, the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, said the State Advances Department was prepared to deal liberally with either tenants or mortgagors who were unable to meet their obligations. Every case would have to be dealt with on its merits.

PATENT MEDICINE RESULTS OF ANALYSIS REGULATIONS TO BE FRAMED [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Friday A question was asked by Mr. W. E. Barnard (Labour —Napier) in the House of Representatives to-day whether immediate steps would be taken to prevent the sple of a certain obesity reducing patent medicine, alleged to contain segments of live tapeworms, which, on being digested, developed into full-sized parasites. The Hon. J. A. Young,- Minister of Health, said he could give a complete denial to the allegations made concerning the medicine. An investigation had been carried out by the Health Department and it had been found that the preparation contained no such ingredient as suggested. Apparently it contained an animal extract which had a subtle influence on the human body, and regulations would be framed requiring such preparations containing animal extracts to be marked "Dangerous, only to be used under medical advice.' DECEASED LEGISLATORS TRIBUTES TO SERVICES WORK OF MR. PEMBER REEVES [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Friday The customary motions recording the appreciation of services to New Zealand and expressing sympathy with relatives were passed by the House of Representatives to-day with respect to the following deceased members of the Legislature:—The Hon. W. Pember Reeves, a former Minister and High Commissioner; Mr. Tuiti Makitanara, member for Southern Maori, 1928-32; Mr. H. S. Valentine, member for Waikaia, 1887, and for Tuapeka, 1890-3; and the Hon. E. H. Clark, member for Chalmers, 1908-14, and former Chairman of Committees of the Legislative Council. Tributes were paid in each case by members representing all sections of the House and at the conclusion of the speeches the House adjourned as a mark of respect. Referring to Mr. Pember Reeves, the Prime Minister, tbo Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, said that he had been one of New Zealand's great men. His prowess had been as marked in politics as it had been in athletics, and his literary ability had been of a very high order. By his death, the world had lost a very able man and New Zealand had lost one of its talented sons. The Leader of th o Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, said that Mr. Reeves had played a great part in the social legislation of New Zealand. His most famous work had been carried out at the Ministry of Labour. He had been the first man in the world to hold such a portfolio. With that of Edgar Tregear, the name of Pember Reeves was revered by every worker with a sense of gratitude for those who had worked for them in th e early days. Appropriate references were also made in the Legislative Council to the services rendered by Mr. Clark.