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5
Meteorological.
The weather during 1932 was notable for its marked variations at
different times. Early January was comparatively warm and mild, then
a spell of cold and windy but very dry weather lasted until the middle
of March. Much rain fell in April, and more in May, but low temperatures
continued. June was hot and very dry, and there was a further
very hot period in August. The last months of the year were fairly
normal, except that there was less frost than is usual in November and
December. Snow lay on three days only during the year.
In spite of two very hot spells, 1932 was, on the whole, deficient in
sunshine—even more so than 1931. The average temperature, however,
was not particularly low. From the health point of view the year was
probably not a very good one. Marked variations are apt to be trying,
and a high average of sunlight is more beneficial to health than occasional
waves of hot weather.
Population.
The reports issued by the Registrar-General on the results of the
Census of England and Wales which was taken in 1931 show that the
City of Westminster had, at the time of the Census, a population of
129,579 persons, of whom 56,496 were males and 73,083 females. This
shows a decrease since the Census of 1921 of 11,999 persons, approximately
8.5 per cent, of the population.
The total population of England and Wales increased during the
intercensal period by over two millions, or about 5.4 per cent. Although
this is the highest total yet recorded, the increase was less than in any
decennium since 1861, except during the War, and the percentage increase,
with the same exception, was less than half as large as on any previous
occasion. While this diminishing increase may not seem regrettable in
times of depression, there is no doubt that the tendency, if it continues,
will mean a waning population in the future. A dwindling birth-rate
is by no means unique to this country, but our figures are now the lowest
except those of Sweden.
Variation in the population of any area is governed by the excess or
otherwise of births over deaths, and by the balance of emigration from
and immigration into the area. In England and Wales, as a whole, the
birth-rate is still in excess of the death-rate, and its decline is to some
extent mitigated by a decline in the death-rate—a decline which is of
importance as it indicates a definite advance in the national vitality.
All the large divisions of England, therefore, still show an increase in
population, with the exception of South Wales. There are, however,