THE VACCINATION QUESTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 26

THE VACCINATION QUESTION.

DEPUTATION TO MB FOWLDS. WELLINGTON, August 22. A deputation of members of Parliament waited on the Hon. Mr Fowlds this morning with a request that vaccination should be made optional, and the compulsory clauses of the act repealed. The deputation quoted figures to show that the act' was being •disregard ©d, and that not one out of every 15 children bom were vaccinated. Mr Fowlds, in reply, said he was in £ peculiar position, inasmuch as he in Ms . private capacity had always been opposed to compulsory vaccination, but his duty . was to administer the act. He pointed out at the same time tliat the act did not provide for compulsory vaccination. What "was required was exemption, or iyi th-& alternative vaccination. The magistrates . in many instances had -wrongly construed- " the intention of Parliament regarding con- . scientious objection. An objector should be only required to 6ay he had conscientious objections, and not to explain what tne conscientious objections were. The Government would do away with the halfcrown exemption fee. He would place the representations of the deputation before the Cabinet.