DAY OLD CALVES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 23 August 1926, Page 4

DAY OLD CALVES

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I am very pleased indeed that “Farmer,” Manaia, has taken up the matter on behalf of the little calves which are being .so cruelly treated. Surely the majority of our residents hare no idea of the .suffering which these poor little .animals .have to endure during transit to the Patea works —.many of them only a. few hours in this world and weak for want of food. Many farmers begrudge the c-alve.s ai drink before they are taken away; .so weak and hungry, .suffering the pangs of starvation, they are trampled underfoot by bigger .and more -vigorous ones. We call ourselves a humane nation—yet allow things like this to happen. People say it is the cow which Iras made Taranaki the prosperous place it is; yet we allow her offspring to -be treated thus. The latest .news from Patea tells of the butchers’ strike. I ask: “Are there any calves waiting at the works to be killed when the strike is over?” Rumours say there are. I .am, etc., ONCE A FARMER. Qkaiavva, August 22. [Our correspondent’s query is answered in the. letter which appears below. —Ed. Star.]

(To the Editor)

Sir, —Refen ■ing to letters published undeir the name of “Onlooker” and) others, we wish to refute the unwarranted' statements made by these writers. No undue delay has been caused to the stock treated, which can be borne out by the Government Veterinary Inspector here, the percentage of bruised calves being negligible and the alleged starvation less than with other stock, killed in freezing works. In connection with the present hold-up, all calves arriving after the slaughtermen ceased work were slaughtered within 36 hours of arrival by the permanent staff. There is always a suspicion, That writers who shield themselves behind, a nom de plume may have merc?ffiary motives in endeavouring to kill an Industry which may prove a valuable asset to the dairy farmers of the Dominion. The Patea Company courts the ful’esi inquiry into the handling of this class of stock by 1 ‘Onlooker’ ’ or any other person interested. —I am, etc.j - ’ A. N. WILLIAMS, Manager Farmers’ Co-ouerative Freezing Oo>., Ltd. Patea, Aug. 23, 1926.