Petition Seeking Ban On Whips Presented

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31727, 10 July 1968, Page 14

Petition Seeking Ban On Whips Presented

(New Zealand Preu Association) WELLINGTON, July 9. A petition seeking to prohibit the use of whips and spurs at all racecourses was presented to Parliament today.

Mr H. J. Walker (Nat, St Albans) presented the petition on behalf of Mr Ray Josiah Glen, of Christchurch. The petition contains 12,120 signatures from all parts of the country. It claims that the excessive use of the whip on horses at race meetings is a direct contradiction of the Animals Protection Act 1960. The petitioners say that two sections of the act relating to the 111-treatment of animals are not being enforced at race meetings. The petition says that by failing to implement the sections of the act the Government departments whose duty it is to ensure that the law is applied and obeyed are permitting a section of the community to practise Cruelty, thereby making the section of the act null and void. The petitioners pray: That the use of the whip and spurs be unconditionally prohibited on all racecourses; That no person or combination of persons shall be exempt from the act;

That it shall be the duty of the police or such other warranted inspectors appointed by the Minister to enforce the power of the Animals Protection Act at all times and at all racecourses and to prosecute persons for all offences provided for in the act. The petition will be referred to the Petitions Committee for consideration.