On Wednesday, however, Sir W. Foster said the concession -did
not content him, that he would not leave so much to the Magistrate, and that a declaration on oath ought to be -sufficient. Mr. Balfour agreed to this, but wished words -added ensuring that the Justices should be satisfied of the bona fides of the statement, though, as he explained, he would not allow cross-examination. To this clause Sir William Harcourt objected because it would allow Justices to examine into the parents' bane fides, but Mr. Chaplin, though admitting that his own convictions were unchanged, sup- ported Mr. Balfour on the ground that, in the face of present opinion, without concession the vaccination laws could not be worked. Ultimately, the clause was passed as Mr. Balfour had proposed by 158 to 101. Both parties are clearly afraid of the anti-vaccinators, and, we greatly fear, have conciliated them while believing that universal compul- sion is essential,—not a good sign for the social laws of the -future. If the ignorant are to settle them over the heads of their own representatives England will be a nice place to live in.
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