Fiji Births and Deaths

Indians Increasing at Rate of 4,000 a Year

rE reason why, in Fiji, the Indian population has overtaken that of the indigenous Fijians is clearly shown in the following figures which have been released from Suva.

In reading these figures it is interest ing to remember that the expectation of life for Indians in their homeland is 27 vears (as against 63 years for Australians in Australia, for example) and that the infant mortality rate is the highest in the world.

Fiji Births—Deaths, Dec. 1946

In spite of Fiji Indians continuing cry of racial discrimination, it appears that Fiii has conferred some blessings upon them. In the year 1946 they were show ing an overall natural increase of 34 per thousand of population: the Fijians, 22 per thousand: Chinese. 24 per thousand; and Europeans in the Colony, 12 per thou sand.

Excess of Indian births over deaths in 1946. w °s approximately 4.000; Fijians 2.600- Chinese 111: and Europeans 56.

Births Deaths (per 1.000) (per 1,000) Europeans 19.65 7.28 Indians 42.82 9.05 Fiiians 39.20 17.02 Chinese 31.45 6.64