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15
The birth-rate (32-86) maintains the level which has
characterised it during recent years. In this respect the birthrate
of Willesden contrasts with the downward tendency of the
birth-rate of the country generally, where, for many years, the
birth-rate has been declining.

A high birth-rate, other things equal, is a good. It is true
that if fecundity in an especial degree be a feature of an undesirable
element in the community—the reckless, the indigent, the
criminal — such contribution to the birth-rate is to be deplored;
but, per contra, if we find that the desirable section of the population—the
able, industrious and gifted—is disproportionate!}'
contributing to the birth-rate it is matter for congratulation. For
it is obvious that the type of people will vary largely according as
it is recruited predominantly from one or other of these classes.
I shall not attempt to decide whether in Willesden fecundity
is a character of the most desirable element in our population or
of the reverse, but I will point out, as in previous reports, that
high birth-rates are a feature of those wards distinguished by a
class of house of comparatively lower average rateable value.