DOMINION’S POPULATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2417, 4 February 1909, Page 5

DOMINION’S POPULATION.

SATISFACTORY FKHJKES. [Press Association.] . WELLINGTON, Feb. 3.' Official' figures have just been compiled by the Registrar-General (Mr. E. J. Von iDazelzen) showing that the Dominion’s population on December 31st was estimated to bo ias (follows: Europeans, 960,642; Maoris, 47,731; Cook Islands population, 12,340 ;t : otal, 1,020,713. The European population lias .gone up in twelve months by 31,158, or (at the rate of 3.36 per cent. Immigration in excess of departures accounted for 14*261, while natural increase caused a gain, of 16,897. Both these figures are in excess of the previous year’s, and it is particularly satisfactory to note how the country gains by excess of births over deaths. In the extent of this natural margin New Zealand compares very favorably with .any other country. Though there is a comparatively low birth rate, infant mortality is kept down remark a bily compared ivitli that of other countries. In fact, the death rate generally in 1908 was. satisfactorily low. It worked, out at 9.57, as compared with 10.95 in 1907, when lit was (abnormally high. The birth rate for 1908 stood at. 27.40, as against 27.30 in the previous year, when there were ‘about 900 fewer births. Last year’s, record, both m births -and excess of arrivals over departures, Avas the high-water mark as tho (following table giving the gam in population for the last 10 years Aid'd indieato: .Births, linmigra-

tion. 1899 - ... 11,155 ■ 1,887 1900 12,340 1,831 1901 12,870 522 '1902 12,280 7,992 1903 13,301 11,275 1904 14,679 10,355 1905 15,621 . 9,302 1906 15,913 12,848 1907 15,028 5,730 1908 ... 16,897' 14,261