CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 30, 30 October 1918, Page 9

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

ANNUAL MEETING OF PREVENTION SOCIETF HISTORY OF A GREAT MOVEMENT Mr. Frank Meiulowcruft as president occupied the chair' at the annual meeting of the Wellington Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, held yesterday afternoon. In moving the adoption of tho report, the president said that it was interesting to look back and note the gradual chango there had been in public opinion towards a higher civilisation, and it was gratifying to realise that the S.P.C.A. had contributed its share to that end. Two facts stood out to show eloquently how muoh had boen done during the iast hundred years. In 1908 the noble members of the House of Lords had jeered when a Bill was introduced for tho amelioration of tho lot of animals; whilst the honourable members of tho House of Conimoiw, or a majority of thehi, had felt that it was not "a fit subject.for legislation." In 1910, when Mr. George Greenwood, M.P. for Peterborough, and a member of the council of tho R.S.P.C.A., introduced on behalf of that society a Bill, to ameliorate the condition of old and worn-out horses intended for oxport, he was greeted with chcers, and tho Bill was passed in an incredibly short space of time, lo Eichard Martin; 'M.P. for Galway, now known to history as "Humanity nick," must bo given the credit of sowing the seed which brought ■ forth the fruit, for in 1822 he brought down a Bill which was now -known as Martin's Act, which was called "an 'Act to prevent cruel and improper treatment of cattle." IJflfortunately the public in those days, inured to cruel sights by bull-running, bearbaiting, cock-fighting, and the like, did not support the work, which was being carried out against great opposition, anil in 1829 a meeting was called to wind up: the affairs of the society owing to lack of funds. " Statesmen considered, as did some people still, that brutality and strength were synonymous tßrms, und grew eloquont in support of bull-running and baiting when tile first attack was niade against ■ those sports, but such pleadings wm-o valueless against tile convictions of such men as Richard Brinsley Sheridan, wlio had considered that "it was most mischievous of all amusements, and most calculated to brutalisa their manners." Ho had further stated that "ho must considor cruelty to brute animals a crime, and, therefore, if there ■woro no laws to; punish, if not to prevent such cruelties, there ought to be." 'Help hrtd come from an unexpected source, in the shape of a legacy from a literary lady, and another attempt r.aa ma'da to' continuo the beneficent wyk qf .the society. It was the turning point in its fortunes. The subjects of bullbaiting and dog fights were again and again introduced to Parliament, and further questions as to cruclty to dogs, the skinning of-live cats, slaughter-house reforms, the. suppression of cock-pits,, etc., were brought' up, negatived, and withdrawn. But each year Richard Martin, or "one of/ his courageous ; followers, brought such matters to the notice of the' Government, and the continuous action at length made its impression.' The Press took ; up the subject, and one by one the outworks of cruelty were stormed and taken.. Petitions woro presented to Parliament ' praying .for air extension of "Martin's Act," and for. the betterment of slaughter-house conditions, By-laws were passed by various local governing .bodies., prohibiting.gross'.cruelties. Many were , tho forms which the parent; society had introduced, amongst which was tho prohibition, of the-uso of dogs as draught animals, the dubbing of'cocks,' the ping of dogs' cars, the slow bleeding of calves, aiid th? dehorning of cattle. It not..only created- laws, But saw they were kept, and brought wrong-doers to justice.- Times had changed, and a kindlier sentiment had gradually jfrown. Peoplo had at last come, to recognise that animals had just claims for protection n.nd proper treatment, and cruel persons ivere 'regarded with pity and contempt.-..-'•.The 'society's--real and most 'important: object:was -to'keap peoplo out of prison Hy engrafting 'in them by education a moral responsibility tiwards the animals in their charge. The society worked not only, to better tho conditions of animals, ' but it-also aimed, at the improvement of a child's moral nature, by widening lis interest in life, and him for'bearnnco; self-control, and courtesy. ■ During the..past yoar the society had continued to do excellent work in iv quiet way. The use of motAr-cara, both for business and pleasure, Svas easing- the strain on.a>great number of horses; still they must'recognise that the horsß would always - be. the main factor in carrying out • transport and agricultural work, therefore it behoved all lovers of animals to s.eo that every assistance was given to help thain in their year in and year out task of'pulling heavy and other •work often 1 performed un&'r anything but congenial conditions. It was gratifying. to note that there were 25 fewer .oases, of lameness reported during the year •than',in the,-y«ar previous. 'It was also gratifying -to note: that our Magistrates had been taking a more severe view of cases of cruelty, and; where cases had been proved,- making the delinquents feel the consequ'ence of their cruelty. It was to'be'hoped that tho.presont great world ; conflict was nearing an end, and the suffering caused both. to humanity and tlio animals engaged in carrying it on would soon coase. It was a matter for thankfulness that the bulk of the heavy' trucking in tho lyar had been accomplished by -machines and not horses, with theft great capacity for suffering and their liability to crue! usage. The presidont,referred to the indebted liosa of the society to Captain Henry (inspector) for hi,4 services during tho past year. The scoiotV had dona and was doing good work. Their funds -vere not in a satisfactory condition, They were entirely dependent npon the voluntary eid -of th« public.; Their -expenses were 1 kept down to a f-iinimnm. Tlus.in* come last year wits AW short of the expenditure, iiiid they had to draw upon their reserve fUnd^. In seoondtng the lttotion to adopt the report, Mr. Vr". Watson congratulated tho president upon -his address, winch was of great interest, as showing tho history of a great movoment. The election of officers resulted as follows Patron, if is Excellency the Gover-nor-General Lord Liverpool; president, Mr, J?. MoadowcrOft; vice-pretideuis, His Worship - the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), Hon. .T. G. W. Aitken, Meters. J. Uott. M. J. Kilgour, Win. Watson, ard-E. 11. Webb; committee, Mrs. A. E. Kernot, Mi«. H. Seville,. Mrs. Wakciin, Rev. ,f. 11. Glasson, Messrs. J. D. Cruickshar.k; It. I'orrcst, and Miss Richard-ion.; hon. solicitors, Messw. A. R. Atkinson, Mazengnrb and Hay, D. R-. Hoggard, Luko and Kennedy,' AVebb and van Staveren, T. Young, and 11. H. Cornish; lion, auditor, . Rlr.' O. I). Morpeth, ,F.P.A.\ : .2.