THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST CRUELTY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1746, 10 May 1913, Page 4

THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST CRUELTY.

The Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which has just concluded its annual conference, thoroughly deserves the sympathy and support of tho general public. The society and its officials are doing i a great deal of excellent work without any self-advertisement, and the mere fact that there are peoplo who have made it their business to care for dumb animals acts as a very real determent from the infliction of unnecessary pain or cruelty. Probably as much suffering is caused by thoughtlessness as by deliberate intention or callousness, and the educational work of the society goes a long way to make the lives of our domestic animals less hard thim they otherwise would be. There are some people, however, who arc deaf to all friendly warnings and appeals, and for them the only effective restraint is the strong arm of the law. Tho duty of detection and prosecution must be undertaken by some one, and here the society's inspectors step in. They invariably show much forbearance, and it is only in what are considered very bad cases that offenders arc brought before tho Magistrate. Wilful and persistent cruelty ought not to be overlooked, for just punishment acts both as a deterrent to the wrongdoer himself, and as a wholesome warning to others. In this matter,the society's officials should have the full sympathy ahd ready help of the police. Many interesting and important subjects were dealt with by tho conference, and its deliberations will no doubt contribute materially towards providing means of lessening the burden of animal suffering. The deputation which waited on the Premier received a sympathetic hearing. In reply to a request for a subsidy, he suggested that the various branches of tho society should form one central executive, with whom the Government could more conveniently deal. Any application from such a central body would have friendly consideration. There can bo no doubt that any reasonable help the Government may give for such a deserving purpose would meet with general approval.