ANIMAL WELFARE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22371, 7 April 1938, Page 14

ANIMAL WELFARE

REFUSAL OF MINISTER TO ADOPT BILLS CRITICISM BY DOMINION CONFERENCE 1 (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, April 6. The refusal by the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) to adopt the bills for the registration of dogs and the protection of birds sponsored by the Federated Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was discussed at the annual conference of the federation in Wellington to-day. Disappointment was expressed by delegates at the position as described by the president (Mr Clyde Carr, M.P.). but it was decided, to continue to press for the legislation. In. his presidential address, Mr Carr mentioned the objection the Government had to private members of the party introducing bills that . might arouse opposition. It was necessary for the Government to adopt a bill for it to have a successful passage. The introduction of bills sponsored by the federation was complicated also by the changes the Government was making in regulations with the same object. By the time the bill was before Parliament it was likely to be out of date. , ... Mr Carr left the conference at the conclusion of his speech, to attend a sitting of the Parliamentary Committee on Superannuation, and Mr J. H. Howell then occupied the chair. Mr G. Mitchill (Waikato) said that animal welfare was not a subject of party politics, as the president had suggested. Mrs C. Christie (Feilding) and the Rev. W. Tye (Wanganui) also expressed disappointment at the trend of the president’s remarks, which were described as an apology. Mr J. H. Howell (Wellington) urged the federation to continue pressing for the introduction of the • bills; Mr Tye said that he felt at the time of Mr Carr’s election as president that they should not have a member of Parliament in the position. They were now not free and it was quite embarrassing. Later in the day a remit was moved on behalf of the Wellington society to the effect that each candidate at the General Election be invited to support the six bills dealing with animal welfare which the federation had placed before the Ministry, The remit was adopted.