PUBLIC HEALTH.

Southland Times, Issue 14579, 21 November 1910, Page 2

PUBLIC HEALTH.

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 18. The following is a brief extract from .the annual report of the Chief Officer of Public Health; — Inapecion of Sohoo- Children.. The- necessity for the above lias been referred to in previous reports, and every year becomes more apparent. A scheme has been submitted and only awaits the ■approval of the Government, as practically nd special legislation is reiiulred to put It Into force. Vaccination. The events that transpired subsequent to the arrival at Melbourne of the s.s. Otway w-tth a case of smallpox on borird should be a sufficient warning as to the need for a more vigorous enforcement of the laws governing vaccination. Though some 116,000 infants are born every year in the Dominion, only about ii per cent, are vaccinated. The majority of parents do not even trouble to apply for exemption. I cannot advise a repeal of the; present law, but 1 would most strongly urge that, if it be decided that the law Is not to be more vigorously administered than heretofore, it would be better to repeal the law and, in the event of an lutbreak, provide by an Order-in-Cmmeil that all persons within a Certain area he vaccinated unless they can show satisfactory evidence of recent vaccination.