H.—3l.

Considering the range of this statement New Zealand is conspicuous as showing the lowest deathrate. The rates for the principal Australian States are a little higher, but, generally speaking, far below those for the United Kingdom or the European Continental States mentioned in the table. Perfect accuracy in comparing one country with another can only be attained by the use of what is termed an " index of mortality." The proportions of the living vary in regard to the different agegroups, and the ordinary death-rate—which is calculated on the population as a whole—does not a fiord a true means of judging of the relative healthiness of the places compared. But by taking a population like that of Sweden, and applying the percentage at each age-group to the death-rates, a standard of health or index of mortality can be arrived at. This has been done for New Zealand, m accordance with a resolution of the Statistical Conference held at Hobart in 1902, and the result is expressed in tabular form.

Index of Mortality in New Zealand for 1908.

A similar calculation for the States of the Australian Commonwealth has been made for 1907. The results when compared with the actual rates, exhibit to what degree the age-constitution of the population affects the death-rate. The figures for New Zealand are also given. Index. Actual. Queensland }±f 1039 Now South Wales If 31 10-58 Victoria IffO 11;7{ South Australia ... ... ••• ••• ■•• j£ dd *™ Western Australia ... ... ••• ••• ••• I°'°° \\\< Tasmania ... ) ll'l* New Zealand (1908) 11-67 9-57 For the purpose of considering the mortality in New Zealand more closely than can be done by means of crude death-rates, it is desirable to ascertain the rates at different age-periods of the population The abnormally high rate in 1907, due to prevalence of epidemic diseases, is strikingly illustrated by comparison with the average for the previous five years. The rate for 1908 at all ages is slightly below the average, but the same as for the middle year of the period 1902-6. Ages at Death. The deaths occurring during 1908 are tabulated below in single ages up to five years, and from thence in groups, showing males and females separately : —

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Estimated Mean Population, 1908. Number of Deaths, 1908. Death- Percentage of rate Population per 1,000, ' of Sweden, 1890 1908. (Standard). Index of Mortality in New Zealand per 1,000. Ages. Under 1 year 1 and under 20 years ... 20 and under 40 years 40 and under 60 years 60 years and upwards... 23,721 347,594 357,328 149,698 66,722 I 1,761 975 1,477 1,520 3,310 74-24 2-80 4-13 10-15 49-61 2-55 39-80 26-96 19-23 11-46 1-89 111 111 1-95 5-61 Totals 945,063 9,043 9-57 100-00 11-67

Males. Females. Total. Ages. Under 1 month 1 month and under 3 months .. 3 months ,, 6 ,, 6 „ „ 12 „ 477 134 205 191 333 108 142 171 810 242 347 362 Total under 1 year 1,007 754 1,761 1 year 2 years 3 „ 4 „ 135 59 37 26 96 44 51 19 231 103 88 45 Total under 5 years 1,264 964 2,228 5 years and under 10 years 10 „ 15 „ 15 „ 20 „ 20 „ 25 „ 25 „ 30 „ 30 „ 35 „ 35 „ 40 „ 40 „ 45 » 45 „ 601 „ 92 75 104 186 210 181 213 202 238 77 76 84 159 216 150 162 124 151 169 151 188 345 426 33] 375 326 389