CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIII, Issue 12242, 30 June 1900, Page 4

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

TO THE EDXTOE. Sir,—Attention has often been drawn in your valuable paper to the fact that horses attached-to the back of a cart must suffer considerable discomfort on account of the shortness of the rope or rein that secures them. Whilst in Dnnedin, I noticed that the difficulty was solved in a very simple manner. A strap, or small second collar, was fastened round the horse’s neck, and to this the attaching rope was 'fastened. Thus the horse’s head was free, and ho walked along contented and comfortable. In two instances I noticed this humane and sensible arrangement. Why should not every horse be considered, seeing what good service these strong, and often gentle, creatures do mankind? I wa.s very glad to read “ One of their Subscribers” letter in Saturday's “Tunes,” in which attention was drawn to the barbarities of the slaughterhouse. I think that one of the reasons why there is so much cruelty to animals, and cruelty to weak defenceless human creatures, is because we shrink from - investigating. One of the strongest reasons why food reform should bo earnestly considered by all thoughtful people is, that this earth, wonderful, beautiful, productive as it is, may be rid of the cruelty that disgraces it. It is useless to point to this or that nation, and say they are guilty of barbarities, whilst all the time, hidden away, covered over, concealed, palliated, there is in every Christian civilized community the ceaseless sound of needless pain, agony and suffering. Will the day come when our preachers and our teachers will preach, will pour forth words that will awaken the world to a sense of the cruelty of slaughter, of sport, of war, of the ingenuity of inventing shot and shell, that will effectually blow to pieces their fellow-man, into whom has - been breathed the breath of life? Will you allow mo to mention a paper called “ The Herald of the Golden Age?” Much valuable information on the subject of food and food reform is contained in it, and its pages plead with the world for the suppression of cruelty, and for the promotion of kindness. It makes one’s heart ache, bub it does one good, to read it, for of that heart ache is born the desire that we may be enabled to help forward the coming of the Kingdom.—l am, etc., LOUISA BLAKE.