LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 177, 29 July 1898, Page 2

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

DISCUSSION ON COMPULSORY

VACCINATION

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary .Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Thursday,

A- somewhat interesting debate cropped up in the Legislative Council this afternoon'"over the Hon. W. Jenning's motion 'That the Government be requested to amend the' Vaccination Act of 1863' in the direction that its provisions shall not be compulsory, and that the activity manifested of late by various responsble officers, in summoning citizens of this colony be curtailed so that the conscientious objections of parents may be considered by the present Parliament.* In speaking to his proposal the hon. gentleman urged that there was great objection among many people to submit their children to the operation of vaccination, which he contended had not accomplished all that waft expected of it. Since he had tabled this motion" he had received communications from all parts of the colony wishing him success in bringing about some reform. A difference of opinion among the medical men certainly existed on the subject. Many eminent practitioners were opposed to comtpulsory infant A'accination. It had never been compulsory in the United States and compulsion had been abolished in Switzerland, and vaccination was rapidly growing*' in disfavour in Germany. In conclusion he urged that vaccination should be made voluntary, not compulsory, for people with conscientious objections.

The Minister of Education said he had never met with a person who could convince him that vaccination was not a proper precaution or that compulsion in view of a common enemy was not desirable. Still there was no doubt that pure calf-lymph should be used in every instance. He regarded the compulsory clause of the Act as a safeguard to the body politic holding that the question was one that should be decided by a Board of Experts. The Hon. Bolt moved as an amendment 'That the Government be requested to appoint a Commission of medical men to consider and report on the question of compulsory vaccination and its relation to the health ol the people.' The Hon. Dr. Grace held that of alt countries in the world New Zealand was perhaps the best protected in the character of tho vaccine used. Pure calf-lymph was always available and ■its production under scientific control had become an industry in Hawke's Bay. If there was anything proved by'mathematical demonstration it was that vaccination w*is invaluable in either preventing small-pox, or at any rates in modifying the character of its attacks. While expressing the fullest sympathy with those opposed to compulsory vaccination the doctor said he was afraid their ideas were the result of insufficient knowledge. On going to a division the original motion was negatived by 30 to 6, and Mr Bolt's amendment lost by 32 to 4, the mover, Messrs Bowen, Jones and Rigg alone supporting it. VARIOUS BILLS. The following measures have passed their final stages in the Council and been introduced and read a first time in the House: — Official Documents Evidence, Shorthand Reporters, nnd Cemeteries Act Amendment Bills. The last named measure was amended by the insertion of a clause to provide that the accounts of small Boards should be audited free of charge. The Animals Protection Bill has been fully dealt with by the Joint Committee specially set up to deal with it. Mr O.'Regan's suggestion to prevent the liberation on the land of stoats, weasels and other animals of a destructive nature was agreed to. Another feature is that next year is to be observed as a close season for native pigeons and also every third year thereafter..