"HUMANITY MARTIN."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 256, 29 October 1929, Page 6

"HUMANITY MARTIN."

Across the sky of the animal kingdom four letters shine out above all others; they are S.P.C.A. These letters express in narrow compass the determination of humane-minded people that the man or woman who is cruel to animals is a disgrace and a menace to the moral development of the community. It has taken more than a century to bring civilised people even to the present ethical standard in relation to their obligations to animal dependents. It is worth recalling during "animal welfare week" that the first attempt to secure the passing of a measure for the protection of animals was made in April, ISOO, when Sir W. Pulteney introduced a bill in the House of Commons to stop bull-baiting. The bill was refused a hearing, and a similar effort made in 1802 also failed. In 1809 Lord Erskine, Lord High Chancellor of England, introduced into the House of Lords a bill to prevent "wanton and malicious cruelty to animals." which passed through the Upper House, but was defeated in the Commons. Lord Erskine's speech was greeted with, catcalls and laughter, and the proposition that the animals had any rights at all was jeered out of the House. This was. perhaps, not surprising in an age that permitted women of all ages and children of the temlerest years to be employed in the depths of coal mines. "Humanity Martin," as Mr. Richard Martin, M.P. for Galway, was afterwards called, took up the cause, and was so determined that, he, like many men who simply will not be thwarted, got a hearing. That secured, half the battle' was won, and in 1822 there was passed what has, in the history of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals movement, become known as Martin's Act. This Act was to prevent the "cruel and improper treatment of horses and other animals." In 1824 the Rev. Arthur Broome succeeded in forming a society for the protection of animals, which is .

now known all over the world as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The first meeting was held in Old Slaughters Coffee House, St. Martin's Lane. Richard Martin was a tower of strength to the newly-formed society. Ho was a friend of George IV.. who first

gave him the honourable nickname of "Humanity Martin." The public, used to sights that then gathered about bull-baiting, cock-fighting, etc., failed at first to support the society, but in 15.'55 there came a legacy from Mrs. Radcliffe, the novelist. This was the turning point in the history of the movement, which from that day has never looked back.