COWS AND COWARDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 57, 12 March 1907, Page 3

COWS AND COWARDS.

To the Editor. Sir—lt would appear from Mr Cow:e's last letter 'that the full title of hia Society should read, "The Taranaki Society for tile Protection of cows and the prevention of unnecessary cruelty to all animals," though he is quite wrong in saying lie lias all along emphasised that the Society was for the prevent on of unnecessary cruelty only, lie has done nothing of the solt. It. is 1, ; , Hu> show why unnecessary cruelty is less culpable than the neces-ai-v varietv. A poor man having only' one hor.se, and no money to buy or hire another, would be hauled up and lined for u-ing It with a sore shoulder. The tanner ivlto systematically pvact ccs on his tows "the severest form of cruelty it is possible to inflict on any animal,'' because it pays, can't be touched; Mr Cowie claims it. Where then by all that's powerful is the protection of the bliiigers m of "the regular cheques' going to come in'.' Mr Cowie lias made the unwarrantable assertion tliat a Prevention of Cruelty Society was much needed and that 'Tar.uiaki cows wanted "protection.'' After writing 11 good deal of noble Sentiment on the Subject, he now practic"".V es himself the lie by admitting very few of.Taranaki's J.'i.OOU are prepared even in these prosperous times, to contribute a modest "crown" in aid of the "One thing needed more than another." No society of the kind is requ.red in this province), where, as another writer has pointed out, the police are quite able to deal with tha few cases of wanton cruelty that occasionally occur. It is noticeable that nearly all Mr Cowie's anient tiers display their ignorance of human nature by using the words "cruelty" and ' cowardice" as synonymous. Many instances can be cited of very cruel people being quite free from cowardice. Samson is credited with having perpetrated oiie of the most Ingenious acts of cruelty to animals on record; yet lie is not held up bv Sunday School teachers as au example of cowardice. Quite the reverse, lie <s regarded as one otlie heroes of 'the Old Testament. On the other hand. Sir Cow e has been at, some pains to demonstrate that a man may he fuli of loving sympathy for the lower animals, may he charged with noble spirit, may talk big about making who disagree w.th him disappear, may tie a noted athlete; and yet, with ail he a thundering coward into the bargain.— [ am, etc., W. STEPHENSON.