VACCINATION OF CHILDREN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 208, 24 August 1908, Page 3

VACCINATION OF CHILDREN.

REQUEST FOR IT TO BE OPTIONAL. Bv Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Saturday. ' A deputation of members of Parliament waited on the Hon. G. /»»" ld ' this morning with a request that the [vaccination of children should be made optional. The deputation quoted figures to show that the Act was ueing disregarded, and that not one in even fifteen children born was vaccinated. Mr. Fowlds, in reply, said he was in a peculiar position, masiuum as lie in Jus private capacity Had always been Dpposed to compulsory vaccination, but fcU duty was to administer the Act lie .pointed out at the same time that the Act did not provide for compulse!} TOtcination. What was -required was eZption, or, in the alternative vaccination. The magistrates in manv nBtances had wrongly construed the m'Xon of Parliament regarding the .conscientious objector. A «ian should be only required to say be had eoneeieSs objections- not to explain w hat the eonscientioo, njhe Government intended to do aw ij with the half-crown exemption fee He would place their representations of the imputation before Cabinet.