“SO-CALLED SPORT”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 801, 23 October 1929, Page 1

“SO-CALLED SPORT”

BIG-GAME FISHING AND LIVE BAIT S.P.C.A. OBJECTIONS From its objections to the use of live bait in big-game fishing, the Auckland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals hopes to secure the co-operation of fishermen in banning the practice. The efforts of the society in this direction are mentioned in the annual report, presented pn behalf of the executive committee by the president, Mr. C. H. Furness. “The big-game fishing question has received careful attention,” the report states. “The unanimous opinion of the committee is that there can be no question as to the existence of cruelty in this so-called sport. “The committee, however, considers the time not yet opportune to take direct action. It believes that the use of live bait should be prohibited, and this question should be discussed at the next general conference to secure the co-operation of fishermen in banning the practice. The Otago society endorses this decision.”* The vigorous steps taken by the society to obtain more humane treatment for animals handled in the

“bobby-calf” traffic are mentioned in the report. A conference of interested organisations was convened by the society and its inspector, Mr. J. Hollingworth, carried out an investigation. Representations were made to the Government from the New Zealand conference.

Through the efforts, better transport facilities were provided, and buyers of calves were co-operating with the society in improving the traffic. The condition of calves reaching the works had improved and the percentage of rejects had been reduced. When the committee referred the practice of allowing dogs on runningboards of cars, especially those tied by the neck to a car, to the Auckland Automobile Association, sympathy with the society’s representations was gained.