Y.M.C.A.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 621, 25 September 1909, Page 6

Y.M.C.A.

The Y.M.C. A. Literary and Debating Society last.-ovening met the Kent -.Terrace .Saturdav Night Club in .dobato on;the .question:.' "Tha"t vaccination should, bo made "compulsory ■' in Now Zealand." Messrs. A. ; W:Parton, Mansfield, and Dickinson rcpresoutcd tho Y.M.C.A., -and Messrs. W. Chartro Gordon, and Fraser spoke,.on' behalf of Kent Terrace. .'Mr.'.'R. Urown occupied the chair, about 20 being present. Mr. 1 : Tarton'.opened in' the' affirmative, and: brought forward .-■• several' arguments, in favour of.compulsory vaccination, quoting Tasmania for figures'to prove the need of compulsion. Mr.. Chartre's then-led in tho-nega-' live in a well-defined speech of fifteen minutes, outlining .tho-,case' for his side,- and emphasis--inp'.that'their opponents must' prove' the cflicacy- of vaccination. Mr. -Mansfield,;then ■spoke, his .chief''point''being- a comparison' of figures showing how. vaccination had-, helped to'eliminate smallpox. .Mr. Gordon followed, and gave several statements' relating to the harmful effects of -vaccination,. especially to children, and-also-stating'that the only'safeguards were sanitary methods. Mr. Vf: E..Dicknison then conclnilcd the ease for the affirmative, quoting figures and history... Mr. Fraser gave the last speech of tho ovening, summing up tho various.-points: -.The jndgo (Mr.'■ D.: M; Pindlay), in summing up, awarded the following points:—Kent". Terrace". Society , 27,1; Y.M.O.A, Society.2s2,,the former.-.winning bv .twonty-ono pcinfe Gordon gave' the best speech of the evening. :. .-■■.,. ,'"•■'.;