THE ZOO AND ECONOMY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 67, 21 March 1933, Page 6

THE ZOO AND ECONOMY

(To the Editor.) Sir,—After so much talk of economy, it is good to know that the monkeys are to have their homes renovated and that the money will be used for the purpose it was cqllected. There is no economy in allowing anything to go to ruin, and especially for public attractions to be- j come unattractive. In my travels round the world the zoo has always been the first place I was-asked to visit, arid some of them are wonderfully attractive. When our monkey • houses are being renovated why not paint them orange, tomato, and green. Not only the children, but the monkeys will enjoy the brilliant colours of the day, and so make their lives brighter. There would be many brighter lives if there were less talk of economy. Last winter when everyone was afraid to spend and thousands were out of work, I had occasion to want some building done. I had no money, but was able to borrow enough to pay the wages of three,unemployed men all the winter—the carpenter, painter, and plumber. The timber merchant trusted me. If he had been.afraid to do so, he would not now be drawing a regular monthly payment as the consequences of his generosity. The buildingis now self-supporting, employing two people, besides casual labour. What is wanted is a little more faith and belief in the power o£ God to help in this world-wide struggle.—l am, etc., DON'T BE AFRAID. (To the Editor.) Sir,—With reference to the article in Friday's "Evening Post" on the £200 to be spent on. improving the monkey houses at the zoo, although admiring those of the City Council who had the courage to insist on the allocation of this money for the purpose for which it was definitely promised, I should like to see it spent in giving a painless end to the unfortunate animals who are cooped up in the zoo! If it is considered necessary for the education of children to see the animals, the skins could be stuffed and put in the museum. The money spent on the upkeep of. a totally inadequate "plant" such as tlse Wellington Zoo, could be spent on the children's playgrounds. There they would gain far more benefit than in being occasionally taken to see a handful of animals in captivity. dragging out a miserable existence.—l am, etc.,

MABEL CHRISTMAS-HARVEY.