PREVENTION OF CRUELTY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18150, 13 August 1924, Page 10

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY.

| * CENTENARY OF THE R.S.P.C.A. SPEECH BY THE PRINCE OF WALES. (l-BOSI OTTB OWN' CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, July 2. As president cf the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Prince of "Wales took the chair at the centenary banquet. Among those seated at the principal, tables were the Duchess of Portland, Lord Lambourn.v Lord and Ladv Erskine, Lady Edward Spencer Churchill, Lord Aberdare, Sir J McFadvean, the Hon. Bruce Ogilvie, Sir George and Lady Fenwick, Mr and Mrs John Galsworthy, Lady Millbank, Colonel. Wylie, Dr. Kowley (American Humane Association"), Colonei Leonard Noble, the Kev. B. G.'Bourchier, Captain E. G. Fairholme and Mrs Fairholme, and Mrs Kernot. In proposing "Prosperity to the bociety," the Prince of Wales sand it might seem hardly necessary to wish succefs to a Society which was celebrating its centenary, a Society vvhich had - the ' sympathy of all . rightminded people, a Society whose existence was as safe as that of any of our great national institutions. "I am glad, however," the Prince went on "that custom demands that tins toast should bo : given; and I am still more glad that as president of the Eoyal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals I have the privilege to propose it. It is a great thing that this ocictv _the oldest animal-protection Society in the world, J.nd the parent cf all other animal-protection Societies —has been able to celebrate its 100 th birthday. On more than one occasion in the early days of its career the Society nearlv expired through lack of tmblie support, but. thanks to the persistence of its founder, the Kev. Arthur Broome, and his few supporters, it was kept going, and to-night we think of those early humanitarians with ' deep gratitude. They began their self-ap-pointed task in a very modest way, with but one inspector to do the practical work of seeking out offenders. During the Society's first year 149 persons were punished for cruelty 'to animals, loday convictions number over 4000 a year but—and this will show you how the Society lives i,p to its name—over 20 000 persons are cautioned every year in're°ard to their treatment of animals. Wc would far rather prevent any animal from being badly treated than get anyone punished for treating that animal badly. Our Society has not, and never has been, a prosecuting Society, though sometimes we may have been given that very unjust reputation. roneous idea is simply due to the tact that reports of our prosecutions appear in the papers, but nobody hears anything about the many thousands of cautions given to people who do not treat their animals properly.

A National Characteristic* "We can claim this evening, to be wholeheartedly a gathering of animal lovers: (Cheers.) Life without horses, dogs, and other animal friends would be a poor thing, and I feel that that view is shared by most—if not by all —of the people of this country. Love of animals is a great national characteristic, and we will all be proud that there d this great Society in existence. If everyone enjoyed the. friendship ot animals .there would' no need tor this Society, and that there is great need for it is shown by its- annual records. I was glad lo see from the report of last year that more and more members of the general public are makin" use of the Society by invoking its aid on behalf of ill-used animals. Its services are at the disposal ot all friends of animals, and I venture to suggest that anyone who knows ot an ill-used animal and- who fails to report the matter to this tiociety, isalmost as blameworthy as any person who is ill-using that animal. In one sense this Society has been too successful, because its work is now so well known throughout the country that the public take it for granted and look upon the Society as a public institution, which it is, supported by a Government grant, which it is not. Consequently many people who ought to support the Society do not do so.

Activities in War. "There is not time now to speak of the many branches of the (Society's work, but I should like to remind you of one of its many activities —the splendid help it gave' to sick and wounded horses during the war. The R.S.P.C.A. was the only Society authorised by the Army Council to assist the Royal Armv Veterinary Corps, and the Society did its_ best to merit the confidence placed in it by the Army authorities. Thanks to the help of the animal-loving public, the Society was able to provide 13 hospitals with accommodation for over 13,000 horses, complete with all the necessary living quarters and recreation rooms for the men—a complete depot for convalescent horses, tented hospitals for 6800 horses, nearly 200 nmbulances for horses, and vast quantities of miscellaneous veterinary requirements, and the Society spent over £200,000 on this work, and I am sure you will agree that the money was well utilised.

"When one remembers fhe services j of these war horses, one feels rather ashamed at finding that about half of , the cases of cruelty taken up by this! Society in normal times have to" do | with horses. If this Society confines its activities entirely to those cases, ' and even became merely a Society for the protection of horses, I. for one, would give it cordinl support. Fortunately for many thousands of other animals, the Society works on a much larger scale,-and I know yon will join with me in wishing it may long continue to carry on its excellent work." (Cheers.) Mr John Galsworthy, in reply, recalled a story of the Prince of Wales when at Osborne. He declared that when he became King he would abolish sin and. not allow anybody to cut off puppv clogs' tails. (Loud laughter and cheers.) It was a large order, but by the presence of His Royal Highness there that night he showed that he was .still of the same beneficent mind in roccard to this symbolic declaration, and tint animals—human and otherwise—had him for a friend. Among those 'who rend papers-at the Congress, organised in celebration of the centenary of the R.S.P.C.A., were Mrs Gladys Kernpt (representing the Society in Wellington) and Sir George i Fenwick (the Duncdin Society):