CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 151, 22 March 1939, Page 13

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

Efforts To Change Law

S.P.C.A. CONFERENCE TODAY

The annua] report of the Federation of New Zealand Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the federation in Wellington today, states that unsuccessful endeavours have been made to have the Police Offences Act amended so that there will be less variation in its interpretation when prosecutions for cruelty are made. As "the law stands at present the prosecution is required to prove without doubt that the defendant had “a guilty mind,” that is to say, that he “knew” he was being cruel, and with somemagistrates and judges it is sufficient. for him to get witnesses to say that they did not consider he was cruel in order to secure acquittal, states the report. Other magistrates lay it down that if the defendant did not know he was being cruel he ought to have known it .and are prepared to convict. A deputation brought the matter before the Minister of Justice, Mr. Mason, but the Minister was not convinced of the need for amendment. The council of the federation recommends that the Bill for the Prevention of Cruelty, which has already been submitted to the Minister in Charge of Police. Mr. Fraser, should be amended by the addition to it of a clause which is found in the English Act, but was omitted from the Police Offences Act, 1919, and which would mean that proof of guilty knowledge would not be required. The Minister of Agriculture having secured power to regulate the methods of slaughtering animals adopted, the federation understands that it is proposed to call a conference of representatives of municipal authorities and freezing companies to draw up an agreed set of rules. When such conference is held the federation considers it should have an opportunity to express its views. Other subjects raised in the report are a proposal that registration, collection and destruction of dogs should be done by Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, instead of by municipalities, and the taking advantage of an offer by the Fuller-Hay-ward Picture Corporation to screen throughout New Zealand films dealing with S.P.C.A. work. The Royal S.P.C.A. has produced suitable sound films which can be obtained in London for about £5 each.