DUMB ANIMALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 72, 12 August 1912, Page 4

DUMB ANIMALS.

PULPIT PLEA FOR THEIR PROTECTION. FORMATION BRANCH S.P.C-.A. URGED. Following on his sermon the previous Sunday on "Our duty to dumb animals," the Rev. A. H. Colvile made an appeal yesterday afternoon at the men's service in St. Mary's QhurcJi for the establishment of a branch of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Dumb Animals in our midst. Mr. Colvile explained that he mentioned the subject that afternoon as he wished his hearers to bear it in mind, and see whether there was not a responsibility upon them to support the society, supposing a branch wa,A formed in New Plymouth. Personally, he was desirous of this end being achieved; but it was too much for himself alone to organise. It was very easy for residents to dismiss the idea by saying there was no need for such a society. "I dare Bay, ' added the Vicar, "that there is no crying need for it in this town, though I believe that if you asked some honest farmer in th» district ho will tell you another story." Proceeding, he said lie was pleased to say that he had seen no bad cases of cruelty to animals in Now Plymouth, but that was not the "point. It was absurd ito wait for au obviously good thing until there was a orying need for it. Very little good legislation had «ver been passed whon we waited until there was a general outcry for reform. They all knew how slack people were, and the effect of panic legislation. "To wait, then," he continued, "until some horrible scandal almost compels you to take action i 3 to proclaim one's own feebleness and slackness. That there is no crying need for a branch in our midst I am very pleased ito admit, but prevention is better than cure. It will act as a distinct warning to those whose tendency is to treat animals badly, and act us an encouragement to tOiojie who love them and wish to protect them. It is more a man's question than a woman's, and I asik you to-day to think it over seriously, and to commune with yourselves seriously, and see whether, in event of a brsindh of this society being formed in New Plymouth, it is worthy of your support."