POPULATION PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1924, Page 2

POPULATION PROBLEM.

IN FRANCE AND ENGLAND. The Times publishes some illuminating informatron cortqftrning the movement of French population. The census of 1921 shown an actual diminution of something ovw two millions in the total population of (France during the pi eceding decennial period: meanwhile the war years were accompanied by a fall of over 50 per cent, in the btrui rate. But apparently it is not the low birth rate, but the high death rate which is the significant fact in contemplating present and suture prospects. In England and Wales in 1023. an excess of 7,58,986 birtlhs over 444)869 deaths gave an increase in the population of 313,517. In France during the eiime year an excess of 7t>l,Bt>l births (a larger numiber, be it noted) over €66,990 deaths, gave an increase of only • :,871. The infant mortality rate per 1000 births was 69 in England and Wales, as compared with 96 in 'France. Ii is interesting to consider these comparative figures of births and deaths in connection with two somewhat paradoxical facts: the fact that .in France the discussion and promotion of birt'h control is penalised by law, and the fact that the population of France is far less highly industrialised than the population of England and Wales.