The number of persons naturalised in Australasia during 1903 distributed amongst the various states was as follows: 177 VITAL STATISTICS. BIRTHS HE total number of births in each state, and the rate per thousand of the population during the year 1903 are shown in the following Leaving out Western Australia, it will be observed that the birthrates of the various states are fairly even amongst themselves. The comparatively high rate in the western state is due to the larger proportion of married women in its population. Taking the general average for the last three years (26-28), the birth-rate of Australasia will be found lower than that of most European countries, and very much below the former experience of these states, as shown by the following statement, which gives the number of births in each state and in the whole of Australasia, in quinquennial periods from 1861 to 1900, and for the years 1901-3. State. 1861-65. 1866-70. 1871-75. 1876-80. 1881-85. 1886-90. 1891-95. 1896- 1901-3. New South Wales Victoria.... Queensland 15,454 14,679 15,313 17,165 21,425 23,710 24,794 79,958 92,643 106,543 127,572 158,965 188,300 197,566 183,582 111,676 123,353 131,052 136,363 132,347 140,258 172,307 180,852 155,437 91,038 11,761 22,622❘ 29,279 37,535 48,979 70,150❘ 72,863 70,963 41,140 South Australia. 30,472 35,067 36,398 46,310 56,618 53,200 53,093 Western Australia 3,352 3,724 4,033 4,611 5,446 7,696 10,242 Tasmania 47,179 26,566 15,095 23 404 Commonwealth 264,350 299,787 327,929 365,540 431,691 515,363 539,410 502,964 304,164 New Zealand 26,611 46,770 59,891 88,205 96,482 94,071 91,410 94,685 62,975 Australasia 290,961 346,557 387,820 453,745 528,173 609,434 630,820 597,649 367,139 The average birth-rates per thousand of population for each state during the same periods are given hereunder, and, together with the rates appearing elsewhere in this chapter, have been amended to agree with the latest estimates of population. State. 1861-65. 1866-70. 1871-75. 1876-80. 1881-85. 1886-90. 1891-95. 1896- 1901-3. New South Wales Victoria 36.72 42.71 40.70 39.05 38.53 37.65 36.36 32-93 27.98 26.66 25-11 It is a matter of common knowledge that for some years past the birth-rate in Australasia has been declining, and so important is the subject-not only as regards the growth of the population, but also as affecting general progress-that in 1899, and again in 1902, the author made a special investigation into the question of childbirth in Australia, but more particularly with reference to New South Wales. The conclusions arrived at with respect to that state, however, may be held to obtain for all the others, seeing that the conditions of living do not differ materially in any of them. During the course of these investigations it was found that for all women the proportion of fecund marriages was decreasing; that amongst fecund women the birth-rate was much reduced as compared with what it was twenty years ago, and that the decline had been persistent and regular since 1885. Public interest was strongly aroused by the author's treatise on the subject, published in 1903, and a Royal Commission was appointed to investigate the causes which contributed to the decline in the birth-rate, and to inquire into the question of the mortality of infants. After numerous sittings and exhaustive inquiries, the Commission presented its report in March, 1904. The report is of too voluminous a character to admit of any other than the most general reference in this work, but its tenor was in thorough accord with the conclusions mentioned above. It was found that there had been a serious diminution of fecundity since 1889, due chiefly to the deliberate prevention of conception and the destruction of foetal life, and to pathological causes consequent upon the means used and the practices involved. In addition to enumerating the causes which have led to the decline in the birth-rate, the Commission tendered certain valuable suggestions as to the best means of counteracting the evil influences at work. It would have been interesting to have compared the number of births to married women of specified ages at regular intervals from the date when the birth-rate first showed marked decline. Unfortu nately, the information is not available for the different states, but the following figures, relating to New South Wales, possess strong interest. These show the number of legitimate births and the birth-rate per cent. among married women of various ages at each of the four decennial periods 1871, 1881, 1891, and 1901. The rates in 1871 and 1881 were practically the same, but at all ages there was a large decline between 1881 and 1891, and again between 1891 and 1901. The apparent increase from 1891 to 1901 among women aged 15 and under 20 is due to the increased number of ante-nuptial conceptions in 1901 compared with 1891. Taking the women of child-bearing age (15 to 44) at each period, the birth-rate per 100 married women was 34.25 in 1871, 33-47 in 1881, 29.70 in 1891, and 23:36 in 1901, so that the rates for 1901 showed a decrease of nearly 32 per cent. on those for 1871. Although like information cannot be given for the other states, the births compared with the total married women of child-bearing ages have been ascertained for some of the states for the periods 1881, 1891, and 1901, and were as follows: Particulars relating to illegitimate births will be found in the chapter headed "Social Condition." DEATHS. The following table shows the total number of deaths and the rate per thousand of the population during the year 1903 :— The death-rate of Australia is much below that of any of the European states, and is steadily declining. Every year sees an advance in the sanitary condition of the people in the large centres of population, and to this cause may be ascribed the greater part of the improvement in the death-rate shown in the following tables, but there are other causes. |