If it be found that the development of our native-born 

 population presents satisfactory features as a whole, at 

 least in those portions of the continent enjoying tem- 

 perate climates, what shall be said regarding the effects 

 upon the white population of residence in the semitropical 

 regions of the continent ? These effects may, in part, be 

 measured by a comparison of the death rates and rates of 

 mortality experienced in Australia. 



Now the Year Book of the Commonwealth gives the 

 death rates in 1908, per 1,000 living of the mean population 

 in the various States and New Zealand as follows: — 

 Death rate per 1,000 living: 



New Zealand 1808 9-9 



South Australia 9-96 



New South Wales 11-01 



Queensland 11-69 



West Australia 11-69 



tte for the Commonwealth 

 I and Wales 1907 



From this table the excellent position of Australia and 

 New Zealand, as compared with the United Kingdom will 

 be evident. Queensland and West Australia occupy a 

 relatively higher position than Victoria does with its 

 admittedly temperate climate. 



Queensland Mortality Rates. -There was a time when 

 it was considered that residence in Queensland entailed an 

 extra risk, to cover which, life insurance offices exacted an 

 extra premium, often amounting to 10s. per annum per £100 

 assured. This extra premium was discontinued by the 



