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72
direction, even although they should only partially effect the
object in view. The report then goes on to discuss as to whether
any alterations should be made in the arrangements and proceedings
for securing the performance of vaccinations, and, in
particular, in those provisions of the Vaccination Acts with
respect to prosecutions for non-compliance with the Law. This
will be found at length in my report for 1896.
The Commissioners signing the majority report conclude as
follows:—
"It is to be hoped that our Report will stimulate belief in
the efficacy of vaccination, that it will remove some misapprehensions
and reassure some who take an exaggerated view of the risks
connected with the operation, as well as lead to a more ready
enforcement of the law by local authorities.
We desire to call attention again to the recommendation,
which we made in our fifth interim report, that persons committed
to prison by reason of the non-payment of penalties imposed under
the vaccination laws, should no longer be treated as criminals.
We stated in that report our reasons for this recommendation, to
which we still adhere. If, however, the changes in the compulsory
provisions of the vaccination laws which we have suggested were
adopted, the matter would lose much of its importance.
All which we humbly submit for Your Majesty's gracious
consideration.
The report was signed by the following commissioners :—
Lord He???schell.
Sir James Paget.
Sir Charles Dalrymple.
Sir W. Guyer Hunter.
Sir Edwin H. Galsworthy.
John S. Dugdale.
M. Foster.
Jonathan Hutchinson
Frederick Meadows White.
Sam. Whitehead.
John A. Bright.
August, 1896.
Bret Ince,
Secretary.