BOBBY CALF TRADE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 122, 22 April 1940, Page 5

BOBBY CALF TRADE.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —At the recent meeting of tin Farmers’ Union reference was agai made to the S.P.C.A. letter regarding bobby calves. The secretary still maintains that 9U per cent, were slaughtered in Eeilding. Perhaps the Farmers’ Union secretary did not read the letter from the Eeilding branch of the Freeziug Workers’ Union, in which it delinitcly states, that 90 per cent, or more calves were sent out of Eeilding. Surely these men who work among these little creatures would know, and no doubt they are anxious to know wluit is to happen during the coming season. It certainly seems strange, with a large freezing works in our district, that these creatures are sent miles away and probably wait days before being slaughtered. There must he something wrong when calves sent into the local works could not be dealt with there hut had to he sent to freezing works in another district. The Farmers’ Union secretary also states that Haleombe, Apiti, and Kangiwahia were not in the Eeilding pool. Surely the secretary knows there is no Eeilding pool, otherwise the calves would be slaughtered here. (\Yc do know a little.) Three thousand pounds is a large sum to he paid in wages for a short season, and would keep even 150 men in plenty. This sum also means a consideration to our local shops. We wait patiently for the day of zoning to help these unhappy creatures. Now Zealand is the only place in the world where this hobby calf trade is in being and it certainly is not credit to us. —I am, etc., E. A. MORPHY. President, S.P.C.A.