I—l 7

It is interesting to notice that during the inter-censal period between 1926 and 1936 the natural increase (that is, excess of births over deaths) in the North Island was 92,130 and in the South Island 47,181. The actual increase recorded by the 1936 census, however, in the North Island was 107,126 and in the South Island 39,889, so that the actual increase in population in the South Island was over 7,000 less than the natural increase, which gives some idea of the drift from the South to the North Island. During the inter-censal period 1936 to 1945 the natural increase figure in the North Island was 86,443, and in the South Island 45,688, whereas the actual total increases in population (exclusive of Maoris) for the same period were 112,045 in the North Island and 25 only in the South Island. It is, however, necessary to make allowance for a proportion of the 45,381 members of the Armed Forces still overseas at the census date, 25th September, 1945. Assuming that 16,000 to 17,000 of these would return to the South Island, the real actual increase in population in the South Island was therefore approximately 28,000 less than the natural increase in population. The drift from the South to the North Island shown in the previous inter-censal period (1926-1936) has thus been accentuated during the 1936-1945 period. To some extent the position has been influenced by directions of man-power, both male and female, to essential industries in the North Island, but, even making allowance for this, the figures quoted above give definite evidence of the continuing general drift of the population northwards. Another view of the growth in population in the various Provincial districts can be seen from an examination of the relative densities of population in various areas. The following table shows at various censuses from 1891 to 1945 the persons per square mile in each of the various Provinces :

Table No. 56. —Table showing at various Censuses from 1891 to 1945 the Number of Persons per Square Mile (including Maoris) in each of the various Provinces

The table shows in marked form the increase in population in the North Island. As between 1901 and 1945 the number of persons per square mile had increased from 8-07 to 25-23 in Auckland, from 9-30 to 18*57 in Hawke's Bay, from 10-79 to 20-49 in Taranaki, and from 13-46 to 32-14 in Wellington. In every case the increase is 100 per cent, or more, and in the Auckland Province over 210 per cent. The position is entirely different, however, in the South Island. Marlborough has increased only from 3-26 to 4-91 persons per square mile, Nelson from 3-50 to 5-26, Westland from 2-98 to 3-48, Canterbury from 10-34 to 17-71, Otago from 8-95 to 10-25, and Southland from 4-30 to 6-28.. Even if a shorter period is taken, say the period since the 1914-18 war, the density of population in the Auckland Province has increased from 16-08 to 25-23 persons per square mile, and Wellington from 23-43 to 32-14. In the South Island the rate has been much smaller. In Otago persons per square mile have increased only from 9-76 to 10-25, and Southland from 5-59 to 6-28. Canterbury has shown the greatest increase in the South Island, from 14-34 to 17-71.

36

Area, Persons to a Square Mile (including Maoris). Provincial in District. Square Miles. 1891. 1896. 1901. 1906. 1911. 1 1916. 1 1921. 1926. 1936. 1945. 1 Auckland 25,400 6-35 7-09 8-07 9-59 11-76 13-50 16-08 18-48 21-53 25-23 Hawke's Bay 4,260 7-78 8-83 9-30 10-95 12-46 13-78 14-94 16-51 18-07 18-57 Taranaki 3,750 6-66 9 • 05 10-79 12-40 14-44 15-78 17-40 19-16 20-71 20-49 Wellington 10,870 9-35 11-59 13-46 17-03 18-80 21-09 23-43 25-85 29-11 32-14 Marlborough 4,220 311 3-05 3-26 3-49 3-90 3-97 4-33 4-45 4-54 4-91 Nelson 10,870 3-22 3-30 3-50 3-93 4-48 4-43 4-39 4-68 5-47 5-26 Westland 4,880 3-27 2-98 2-98 3-03 3-24 2-90 2-92 3-13 3-83 3-48 Canterbury 13,940 9-29 9-83 10-34 11-50 12-52 12-89 14-34 15-43 16-81 17-71 Otago— Otago portion 14,050 8-29 8-58 8-95 9-14 9-46 9-39 9-76 10-67 10-76 10-25 Southland 11,170 3-34 3-98 4-30 4-80 5-31 5-33 5-59 5-87 6-52 6-28 rvAi'f ] MI-* UU1 til.'11 Totals 103,410 6-47 7-19 7-89 9-05 10-23 11-11 12-30 13-62 15-22 16-46