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1,486 births were registered in the district, 778 males and 708
females. In addition, the Registrar-General transferred 36 births
from other districts to Acton—19 males and 17 females. There
were no outward transfers.
The birth-rate of 1913 is the lowest on record for Acton, and
is .4 per 1,000 lower than that of 1912.
In last year's report the birth-rate was given for Acton since
1878, and it was apparent that the decline was a steady and a
continuous one. Until the Census figures are published it is
impossible to state what relation this decrease bears to that
observed throughout the kingdom. It is probable that the large
decrease observed here since 1905 is partly due to an altered ageincidence
of the population.
The decreased birth-rate has exercised the minds of many
people for years, and during the past year a Private Commission
on the Birth-rate was established. France has gone a step further,
and appointed n Parliamentary Committee to inquire into the
national, social, and fiscal aspects of its declining birth-rate. In
France, matters are more serious than in this country; in 1912
there was an excess of deaths over births, and a shortage of 34,000
lives, equal to a good-sized town.
The Private Commission might not expect to do so much as
a Royal one would have accomplished; but the former might do
some things which a Royal one might miss for the witnesses
would be free to speak in private, and the Commission might thus
get a nearer sight and insight into what was really taking place
amongst the population.