SERUMS AND VACCINES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6871, 15 July 1909, Page 8

SERUMS AND VACCINES

EEMOVAL OF DUTY URGED. MINISTER IN SYMPATHY. FBZBS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, July 14. A deputation from the British Medical Association waited upon the Minister of Customs (Hon. George Fowlds) to-day, to urge the removal of tariff duties on certain eerums and vaccines. It was urged that no good purpose was served by the imposition of these duties, and that the poorer classes were those who suffered) In the case of anti-diphtherio serum, it was essential that it should be at the disposal of the public at the lowest possible cost, and there were new vaccines which could be used with advantage in cases of tuberculosis and blood-poisoning, which it was equally desirable should be available to the public as cheaply as possible. There was no reason why a 2\ per cent, duty should be charged on these articles, for they could not be produced in New Zealand. They were obtained by members of the medical profession at wholesale prices, and sold absolutely at cost price to those who needed them. It was desirable that the State should encourage the administration of these serum®. In the case of anti-diphtheric serum the death rate had been reduced from 40 per cent, to 13 per cent. In the case ot tuberculosis the vaooine had proved very useful in meeting distressing cases. If the duties were removed it would not interfere with the vaccine factory at Hastings, which only manufactured smallpox vaccine. The poorer people were unquestionably those who suffered by the levying of the duties on these articles, and it was urged that their operation should be suspended. The Minister, in reply, said he was in accord with the view they had stated. He could assure them that the first time any alteration was made in the tariff this would be borne in mind, as it was never intended to raise revenue from material imported for the treatment of disease. How soon it would be possible to effect that amendment, however, was another matter, for at the slightest suggestion of making any alteration to the tariff there were always hundreds of requests brought forward for exemption. At the first opportunity which offered, however, it would be put right, and he would do all he could to facilitate matters to that end.