FOX HUNTING CONTROVERSY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28792, 13 January 1959, Page 8

FOX HUNTING CONTROVERSY

Prince Defended Ry “The Times"

(NZ, Press Association-Copyright) (Rec. 10 pan.) LONDON, January 12. “The Times” today rebuked British opponents of fox hunting for protesting against Prince Charles going on his pony to a meet of foxhounds.

“Leave the Prince out of it,” was the title to its leading article on the subject. “The puritan tradition in British life has so many splendid aspects that its undesirable byproducts stand out in sad contrast. The most dismal of these is the conviction of righteousness that is bred in some sincere believers in this or that cause,” said “The Times.” "Among the worst offenders in this respect are the opponents of fox hunting and other field sports,” “The Times” said.

“They have built up a tradition of attacking in the most unmeasured language, and not always with scrupulous regard t 6 the facts, their fellow citizens who do not share the anti-hunting creed. . . .

“Why should the abolitionists arrogate to themselves the duty of instructing the Queen on how to bring up her children? “If Prince Charles is not to hunt for fear of upsetting some of his future subjects, why should he not be forced to grow up a vegetarian, made to sign the pledge to safeguard him in the years to come against the temptation of non-teetotal drinks, forbidden to own racehorses or to bet on them, and taught that to play games on Sunday is a sin?”