WANTON CRUELTY

Evening Post, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 8

WANTON CRUELTY

(To th» Editor.) , .-_. I . Sir,—Frequently from - 'yijur N news , columns and also from personal observation we learn something about-, the , darker "and gloomier side of man's attempt to fill in his leisure time. Rarely | a week passes without some account of thoughtless and . distressing cruelty i meted out to animals or birds—gross : examples of barbarism only too prevai lent amongst the men and youths, of our country. The known cases of birds arid animals wounded by "bad shots" ■can be multiplied to a great extent by those which never become public, and, as a consequence, the amount of suffering inflicted upon beautiful birds and harmless animals is alarmingly on the inac&se. v

What is our education worth if it produces men and boys keen on this wanton destruction of harmless life? At the present time all that is required is enough money to buy, or sufficient courage to, borrow, a gun, and then fire away at the first.wild creature unlucky enough to be sighted. Many of these "sportsmen" could not hit-a pantechnicon in Willis Street, but' they are permitted-to go into the country, causing prolonged suffering and a lingering death to harmless creatures.

Of late, Sir, you have given us in your leading columns much, food, for reflection in regard-to the philosophy of violence,'notably, in connection with Nazi Germany. It is only, a. short step from the wanton destruction of birds and animals' to that of the human

species. Those who love to indulge in violence nn the world •of -* fur and leathers are liable to bo easy dupes w>en Nazi measures are advocated towards men and women ■of different races and opinions. Many people now feel, and I am sure this is the opinion 'of "The Post," that our education should combat the prevalent ideas of cruelty and of killing among our younger generation. Senseless cruelties practised against man or beast are a blasphemy against the best in man. If we could inculcate a kindly feeling towards birds and harmless animals it would be so much gained in the struggle for better human relationships. The cases given publicity in your paper are only a small part of the gigantic game of men spending their leisure time in "killing something"—an appeasement of barbaric lusts—with all the consequent needless suffering entailed, 'i trust you will continue to inspire your readers to discourage violence in all its forms.—l am, etc., T. BRINDLE.