Farmers’ protest

Press, 13 June 1978, Page 16

Farmers’ protest

Sir, —Mr Owen Buckingham (“The Press,” June 12) is quite wrong in saying that the farmers have never had the support of the S.P.C.A. If he read the papers he would have seen numerous reports of S.P.C.A. involvement in attempts to have stock cared for while awaiting slaughter. What does he think a few animal lovers can do when the Government cannot control strikes? "The farmers would love the support of the S.P.C.A.” — not nearly as much as the S.P.C.A. would “love” the support of the farmers. It would be interesting to know if Mr Buckingham is a member of the S.P.C.A., and even more interesting to know what percentage of all farmers are members.—Yours, etc.,

EILEEN McNEIL. June 12, 1978.

Sir, —Once a fire has been lit it is difficult to put out. I applaud the protest action of the farmers in Invercargill and hope that other fanners in New Zealand will rise up in support of them and starve the freezing workers into submission, as they have starved helpless animals by their disputes and strikes. I am glad television coverage showed the sad state of the dying sheep and the gory details of slaughter. This protest and massive slaughter of sheep should shock New Zealanders into a realisation of the present situation. The only missing link was teams of sheep dogs who could have added to the chaos. —Yours, etc., J. Y. GARDINER June 10, 1978.

Sir, —After witnessing the disgusting display on TV and reading in “The Press” of the sheepfarmers’ protest in Invercargill, I am appalled that this group was recently given millions of our dollars to retain their sheep. Surely, in the name of common sense, if they felt they must make some protest they could have found a less wasteful way; certainly a less barbaric approach may have gained them some public support. As they ignored the law in several ways and certainly offended against cruelty ’ to animals laws, I seek an assurance that they will be dealt with by the courts and I implore the S.P.C.A. to do something.— Yours, etc., B. LANE. June 10, 1978.