PROTEST MADE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1933, Page 6

PROTEST MADE

THE BOBBY CALF INDUSTRY,

ALLEGATION OF CRUELTY

CHRISTCHURCH, February 14

.Allegations that a trade in bobby calves was growing in New Zealand, and that th e trade was being carried on in deplorable circumstances, involving crrolty, .were made i,n a letter read at a meeting, of the committee of the Canterbury Society for the Prevention of 'Cruelty to Animals last night. The letter was a copy of one sent by the Taranaki Society for the prevention tof Cruelty to Animals t D the Royal Society in London,; and forwarded by "the latter body to the Can terbury Society. Th e Royal Society suggested that th e Canterbury body get in touch with the Taranaki So* cioty on the matter, since it wa* considered that any protests m ad, P would carry more - weight if it had behind it th e full force of the opinion of the societies throughout New Zealand. The. Royal Society stated that whileit was glad to girj> ary support it could to th.o, protest, it was a little diffident in doing r,o, .for there was a ■considerable amount of suffering caused to calves in England, owing to their being marketed wnen they were too young. The situation dhl not seem to b,i as serious in England, continued, the Royal Society’s letter, a « the report* indicated, wa* the case in New Zealand.

“It is tlie practice of farmers t 0 retain heifer calves, and to dispose of bull calves,” said the letter from one Taranaki .Society. “The latter, .some, times -only a few hours old, are placed in an enclcv-ure at the farm gat-cv? to be picked up by motor lorries and taken to the freezing , works, Sometimes they are sent • direct to the nearest railway station,' wli-er e they ar e put in trucks, remaining there often: for .a long time without covering and exposed to the weather. The trucks are so often, crowded that the weaker animal, fall and are tramp e d on. By th e time the works are reached, some are dead and the others in a deplorable condition. “Our Society has endeavoured to check this abuse, hut the prosecutions and convictions which follow fail adequately to cope with the practice.” jt- was decided to write to the Tara,n:iki -Society advising that Society was prepared to support any protest.