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9
appears to be common to almost all civilised countries. In
Battersea, the birth-rate would appear to have fluctuated very
considerably during the past five or six years, as will be seen from
a glance at the table below showing the decline in the birth-rate in
Battersea as compared1 with that in England and Wales. The
marked decline which appears to have taken place in the birth-rate
in Battersea, as shown by the figures in the table relating to the
years 1909 and 1910 does not, however, probably represent a real
decrease, but is accounted for by the fact that the methods of
calculating the population of districts in intercensal years have
been shown by the recent Census to have been erroneous,
the estimated population, of Battersea, especially as regards
the years immediately preceding the Census of 1911, being
much in excess of the actual population as disclosed by the
Census returns. The birth- and death-rates for the year are
calculated on the figures supplied by the Registrar-General, and
after due allowance is made for the fallacy created by these figures
there is no reason to believe that there has been any marked
change in the birth-rate of the Borough during the past five years.
The decline which has taken place as compared with the preceding
quinquennium (1902-1906) is, however, most marked, and that
the birth-rate since appears to be more or less stationary, but with
probably a downward tendency, is not a matter for congratulation.
A high birth-rate is a nation's greatest asset, and to those,
like myself, who believe this to be so, the decline in the birth-rate
of England and Wales, which in recent years is such a marked
feature of vital statistics, is not an encouraging sign of the times.
The decline in the birth-rate in Battersea as compared with
that in London and in England and Wales is shown in the following
table:—