Legislative Council.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7294, 19 August 1898, Page 4

Legislative Council.

VACCINATION REFORM. (by telegraph.) (fbom oub own cobbespondent. ) "Wellington, August 19. In the Council yesterday Mr Jennings moved, in accordance with notice, That whereas there is grave danger that impure lymph i 3 freqaently used by vaccinators, the Government be requested to take steps to insure that only calf lymph from heilthy animals, shall be used by all public vaccinators, and that the appointments of all public vaccinators shall be revoked, with the intention of securing in future the appointment of such public vaccinators only as by their acquaintanceship with modern research are best fitted for the performance of this importanb duty. Mr J ennings 'said he felt assured that everyone was of opinion that if vaccination was compulsory it should be conducted with the utmost, caution, and under the best antiseptic and sanitary conditions. The system as carried on in the colony resembled that medical treatmentgiven recentlybya Maoritohunga to a woman in the north. There was no doubt that vaccination had caused the death of children in Ohristchurch and different parts of New Zealand, and ib was imperative that itr- should be carried ont by specially qualified men. Mr Walker maintained that the Government, had for years been endeavoring to supply vaccine specially cultivated under scientific control. So far as the request for the revoking of the appointments of public vaccinators went, he explained that no vaccinators had been appointed of late years who were not qualified medical men, and though there were 12 out of 20 officials who had not these qualifications it would be unfair to stigmatise them as incapable. He asked Mr Jennings to withdraw hi 3 motion as the Government were considering the advisability of following the trend of Imperial legislation on the subject. The mover agreed to withdraw,his motion. It is generally recognised that he has gained a victory in compelling the Government to 'make-much needed reform with respect to vaccinations.