The Examiner. Published MONDAY WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 23. THE CENSUS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXII, Issue 3877, 23 May 1906, Page 2

The Examiner. Published MONDAY WEDNESDAY, AND FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 23. THE CENSUS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

The report and summary of the census of the British Empire in 1901, which have just been presented to the President of tho Local Government Board, show that on or about April Ist, 1901, the area of the Empire was 11,908,378 square miles, and the population 398,401,704. These aggregates form a striking contrast to the figures for the United Kingdom, which are included in them, the area of the latter being 121,089 square miles, and its population 41,468,721. The reports from which the tables appended to the main report have been derived range, it is stated, from a ten-page pamphlet concerning the 2253 inhabitants of the Falkland Islands to an elaborate review extending to more than 60 volumes dealing with the manifold races of our Indian Empire, the population of which approaches 295 million persons, speaking no fewer than 147 distinct vernacular languages. At the time of the census of 1864 the Empire comprised, in round numbers millions of square miles; in the next two decennial periods no important territorial addition took place; but between 1881 and 1891 the extensions in the East Indies and in our Indian Dependency, and the great annexations of territory in Africa, added about two millions of square miles. Since 1891 further expansions have occurred, principally in Africa and in Asia, raising the grand total as can be ascertained to 11,908,378 square miles, comprising more than one-fifth of the land surface of the globe. In 1801 the population of the Empire, inclusive of the Indian feudatory States, was, as far as can be ascertained, about 259 millions ; in 1871 it had ristn to nearly 283 millions ; in 1881, to nearly 310 millions ; in 1891, largely through acquisitions of territory, to more than 381 millions; and in 1901, to nearly 400 millions. Broadly speaking, says the report, the 889 millions within the Empire may be divided into two classes—- “ whites,” numbering approximately 54 millions, or 13.6 per cent, of the total, and “coloured” populaion, numbering about 844 millions. Of the 344 millions of coloured population, over 295 millions were either natives of India or descendants of Indian emigrants. —Economist, London, 10th March, 1906.