Cruelty to dogs

Press, 10 March 1982, Page 20

Cruelty to dogs

Sir, — If I, as a “Pom”, so much as dared to criticise anything or anyone in New Zealand, I was heatedly told to “go back home, then!” New Zealanders cannot take criticism of themselves, yet they are ever ready to criticise others, the most recent being the Philippines. Whatever their treatment of dogs, Filipinos treat their children and old folk far better than Kiwis do. I have read horrific accounts of New Zealand children being beaten near,to death,.yet there was no public outcry over that brutality. Yes, dogs may be beaten in the Philippines — but children are not. — Yours, etc., lAN JOHNSON. March 7, 1982.

Sir,—l wonder how many people concerned have lived in the Philippines to get their knowledge first hand, instead of taking notice of the news media which exaggerates the truth for the purpose of profit. Dog meat is the food of the poorer class. It is the cheapest meat and in many cases the only available. New Zealand, a country filled with many problems, chooses to discriminate against people with much higher principles than our own. The Philippines have the highest standard of Christian morality in the world, free of divorce, abortion, pre-marital sex. Close family ties and a, will to help each other are traits only a few New Zealanders possess. Perhaps we should look for example and not condemn them on an issue New Zealand can be accused of many times. We should ignore the troubles of the world and clean up this backyard first. — Yours, etc.,

ARTHUR EATON. March 7, 1982.