GAME FISHING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 99, 7 February 1936, Page 6

GAME FISHING

ALLEGATIONS OF CRUELTY. CONTROVERSY IN SYDNEY. ZANE GREY’S ATTITUDE. (United Press Association—Copyright) fßeceived This Day, 12.55 p.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Fishermen are perturbed over the attitude of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals toward big game fishing. Mr S. A. Lord (secretary to the Society) said the Society regarded it as a wantonly cruel sport which served no purpose other than to give a few fishermen thrills and mental pleasure. Mr T. C. Roughley, an economist and zoologist, said he did 1 not think there was any doubt that the fish did feel pain, but they were not nearly as sensitive to pain as human beings. Mr Zane Grey, according to “The Daily Telegraph’s” Bermagui correspondent, said that if he could not fish in peace in Australia he would have to go fishing elsewhere. The question of cruelty to swordfish had been thrashed out in America years ago, and it was shown then that swordfish had practically no nerves and did not suffer 1 as human beings understood it. “I would like to point out,"’ Mi Grey added, “that in America we sell swordfish, but you do not in Australia or New Zealand, although they are good eating and you should have a market for good food.” , Mr Grey’s manager (Mr Bowen) is investigating the exact legal position, but Mr Zane Grey infers that even it he is within the law in his fishing activities he will not remain un ei allegations of cruelty.