ANTI-VACCINATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14280, 31 July 1908, Page 5

ANTI-VACCINATION.

LEAGUE IN CPIRISTCHURCH.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

OHEISTCHURCH, July 30. A Christchurcli movement, which has for its object the repeal of tho Public Health Act to far us it provides for compulsory vaccination, was inaugurated last evening. The convener of the mectinij said that he had outlined proposals, which included a public meeting, a petition to Parliament, tho formation of a league, and the establishment of a. defence fund for propaganda work. It was. suggested that Parliament should bo approached at onco by tho oominittoa and asked to suspend the compulsory clause in such a way as would at least stop tho action of the registrar in Christchurch. It was decided to ask the Canterbury members of Parliament to urgo the Minister to suspend prosecutions for nonvaccination. Oni of those present said that ho had had a good deal of trouble in regard to vaccination. Ho had had all his children. vaccinated except one, and that one had boon ill when it was throe months old, but when it was 12 months old he had b-son prosecuted, notwithstanding that he had told the registrar that t.he child was paralysed. He then got a certificate Of exemption for two months, but at the end of that time ho was prosecuted again and got a. further certificate. .The registrar had said that he would prosecute ovory two months, and recently he had been prosecuted again. At that time lie had informed the registrar that -the child was being attended by four doctors, two nurses, and two masseurs, but the registrar had persisted in tho prosecution. His doc-tor then interviewed the registrar, and had get into his good graces, for he had agreed to withdraw the prosceu* tion. Ho himself had prevented that, and by having the matter gone on with ho had brought evidence and had obtained exemption for two years. Ho did not think tho motion went far enough, for the act must either be repealed or the terms of exemption bo extended. He did not think vaccination was entirely bad, but it mui bad for one child and good for another. It was decided that a league should be formed, called tho Canterbury Anti-vacci-nation League.