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The general measures proposed by the Conference seem well adapted for
this purpose, and it is to be hoped that in spite of the opposition of fanatical
anti.vaccinationists, Parliamentary powers will be obtained for the compulsory
vaccination and re.vaccination of all vagrants insufficiently protected against
Small.pox.
Common lodging.houses and casual wards are admittedly frequently foci of
disease, and the increased control over them in the direction indicated in the
resolution would further lesson the extension of Small.pox.
The establishment of Intelligence Bureaux would also be most valuable as
going far towards checking the spread of the disease.
With regard to the establishment of Labour Bureaux and Labour Colonies, in
reporting thereon to the Sanitary Committee, I preferred not to express any
opinion, the subject being really one of Poor Law administration, and
therefore hardly within a Medical Officer's province. The assumption by the
guardians of parental rights over the children of habitual vagrants was also a
matter I preferred not to discuss for similar reasons.
When the Committee appointed by the Conference met on the 15th
December, 1904, your Medical Officer of Health stated the position of the
Sanitary Committee with reference to compensation for vaccination in the case
of habitual vagrants, and it was understood that as the delegates had no
definite instructions to pledge their respective authorities, it would be
advisable to rely upon the weight of the Congress, and make it clearly
understood that the various authorities were not bound by all the resolutions.
(This would cover the objection as to compensation for compulsory vaccination
in the cases referred to.)
It was generally felt that in the state of public business at the time, a
Private Bill, backed by both sides of the House and approved by the Local
Government Board, would stand a better chance of becoming law than a
Government Bill, and it was therefore agreed that the alternative, i.e., public
or private, should be placed before Mr. Long by a deputation. The Chairman
further pointed out that the delay in the issue of the report of the Vagrancy
Committee would obviously stand in the way of immediate public legislation.
After some discussion it was finally agreed that a deputation should wait
upon the President of the Local Government Board—
(1) To lay before him the Resolutions of the Conference ;
(2) To urge in the first place the public health point of view (i.e., the
connection between infectious disease and vagrancy), while pointing out
the importance of the Labour Bureaux and Labour Colony question as an
essential part of the problem.
(3) To point out that while certain remedies could be at once applied
by the Local Government Board, either by new regulations or by