Rapid Indian Population

Increase Continues in Fiji

From Our Own Correspondent SUVA, July 24.

A SHARP drop in the Fijian mortality rate and continued rapid increase in the Indian population are the main points in the report of the Registrar- General for 1948, just published as a Legislative Council Paper.

In 1948 the Fijian mortality rate was 59.84 a thousand, compared with 74.88 in 1947 and 79.67 in 1946.

This remarkable improvement, the re port states, is probably due to the vigorous drive for reduction of mortality among Fijian babies.

The Indian infant mortality rate in creased in 1948 compared with 1947, when the figure was exceptionally low. In 1948, the rate was 53.56 compared with the latest available rate for India itself (1945) which is 150.90.

IN 1948 the total population of Fiji in creased by 8,100 to 277,372. The net gain due to migration was only 43, com pared with 1,137 in 1947.

The report points out that probably for the first time in the history of the Colony, the Indian population showed a migration loss. Indian departures ex ceeded arrivals by nearly 750.

The Indian community, however, is still increasing at a faster rate than any other race in Fiji. In 1948 the Indian total increased by more than 4,800 to 129,761, compared with the Fijian total of 123,995.

Europeans numbered 6,159 and part- Europeans 6,530.

In 1948 the Fijian birthrate was 36.39 for every 1,000 of the Fijian population

(38.11 in 1947). The Indian rate was 46.33 (41.77).

Although the Fijian rate showed a de crease for the year, it is slightly above the average for the preceding 11 years.

The Indian rate is the highest recorded for at least 12 years.

The Indian birthrate of 46.33 in Fiji is compared with the Indian rate in India (1945) of 27.30.