PREVENTION OF CRUELTY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19254, 19 August 1924, Page 6

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY.

CENTENARY OP THE R.S.P.C.A. NEW ZEALAND DELEGATES. (Feom Ocb Own CobbespondbntJ LONDON, July 2. As President of the Royal Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals, the Prime of Wales took the chair at the centenary banquet. Among those seated at the principal tables were the Duchess of Portland, Lord Lambourne, Lord and Lady Erskine, Lady Edward Spencer Churchill, Lord A her dare, Sir J. M'Fadyean, the Hon. Bruce Ogilviy, Sir George and Lady Fenwick. Mr and Mrs John Galsworthy, Lady Miilbank, Colonel Wylie, Dr Rowley (American Humane Association), Colonel Leonard Noble, the Rev. B. G. Bourchicr, Captain E. G. Fairholme and Mrs Fairholme, and Mrs Komot. In proposing “Prosperity to the Society,” the Prince of Wales said it might seem hardly necessary to wish success to a society which was celebrating its centenary, a society which had the sympathy of all rightminded people, a society whose existence was as safe as that of any of our great national institutions. ‘T am glad, however.” tho Prince went on. “that custom demands that this toast should bo given, and I am still more glad tliat as president, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals I have the privilege to propose it. It is a great thing that ibis society — tho oldest animal-protection society in the world, and the parent oj all other auitnaJprotection societies—hai been able to celebrate its one-hundredth birthday. On move than one occasion in tho early days of its career the society nearly expired through lack of public support, but, than lea to tho persistence of its founder, the Rev. Arthur Broome, and his few supporters, it was kept going, and to-night wo think of those early humanitarians with deep gratitude. They began their self-appointed task in a very modest way, with but one inspector to do the practical work of seeking out offenders. During the society’s first year 149 persons were punished for cruelty to animals. Today convictions number over 4000 a year, but—and this will show you how the society lives up to its name—over 20,000 persons are cautioned ©very year in regard to their treatment of animals. Wo would far rather prevent any animal from be\ng badly treated than get anyone punished for treating the animal badly. Our society has not, and never haa been, a persecuting society, though sometimes we may have been given that very unjust reputation. That erroneous idea is simply due to the fact that reports of our prosecutions appear in the papers, but nobody hears anything about the many thousands of cautions given to people who do not treat their animals properly. A NATIONAL CHARACTERISTIC.

“We can claim this evening to bo wholeheartedly a gathering of animal lovers. — (Cheers.) Life without horses, dogs, and other animal friends would be a poor thing, and I feel that that view is shared by most —but not by all—of the people of this country. Love of animals is a great national characteristic, and we will all be proud that there is this great society ia existence. If everyone enjoyed the friendship of animals there would be no need fo«r this society, and that there is great need for it is shown by its annual records I was glad to see that from the report of last yea: - that more and more members of the general public are making use Of the society by invoking its aid on behalf of illused animals. Its services are at the disposal of all friends of animals, and I venture to suggest that anyone who knows of an ill-used animal and who fails to report the matter to this society is almost as blameworthy as any person who is ill-using that animal. In sense this society has been too successful, because its work : s now so well known throughout the country that tho public take it for granted and look upon the society as a public institution. which it is, supported by a Government grant, which it is not. Consequently many people who ought to support the society do not do so. ACTIVITIES IN THE WAR. “There is not time now to speak of tho many branches of the society’s work, but I should like to remind you of one of its many activities—the splendid help it gave to sick and wounded horses during the war. The R.S.P.C.A. was the only society authorised by the Army Council to assist the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, and the society did its best to merit the confidence placed in it by the army authorities. Thanks to the help of tho animalloving public, tile society was able to provide 15 hospitals with accommodation for over 13,C00 horses, complete with all the necessary living quarters and recreation rooms for tho men—a complete depot for convalescent horses, and vast quantities of miscellaneous veterinary requirements, and the society spent over £200,000 on this work, and I am sure you will agree that tho money was well utilised. “When one remembers the services of these war horses one feels rather ashamed at finding that about half the oases of cruelty taken up by this society in normal times have to "do with horses. _lf this society confines its activities entirely to those cases and even became merely a society for the protection of horses, 1. for one, would give it cordial support. Fortunately for many thousands of other animals the society works on a much larger scale, and I know you will loin with me in wishing that it may long continue to carry on its excellent work.—Cheers.) Mr John Galsworthy, m reply, reoaJled a story of the Prince of Wales when at Osborne. He declared that when ho became King he would abolish sin, and not allow anybody to out off puppy dogs tales, ■ (Loud laughter and oheore.) It was a Inr go order, hut by tho presence of his Royal Highness there that night ha showed that he was still of the same benefi«nt mind in regard to this eymboho declaration, and that animals—human and otherwise—had him for a friend. NEW ZEALAND SOCIETIES.

Among those who read papers at the «3»cress, organised in celebration of the centenary of the R.S.P.OA-, were Mas Gladys Karnot (representing the society m Wellington) and Sir George Fenwick (the DunKemot told of the dSficnlfles of the society in a country where the. animal population was so larg?©, and "wirerß industry so dependent on the slaaghtear of mimals. In New Zealand, she said, perhaps the people were a little too practical, a little unimaginative, where annuals were concerned. The farmer end the man who handled the stock had' pretty hard lives themselves, and could spare little of their valuable time for sentiment. Nor was there such a close bond between man and beast as there was in England. Farm animals lived more independently, and were always in the open, eyen in winter. In describing the work of the Danedm society, Sir George Fenwick said that trie basic principle on which it carried on its octivites was not so much the punafament of offenders as the education of tho < community to a sense of its responsibility towards God's humbler creatures. It was by remonstrance and cautious and patient reasoning with those who were detected in the commission of acts of cruelty that much good had been accomplished ; but in cases where prosecutions were called for the society acted swiftly, and was no respecter of persons. “It was a source of very great satisfaction to our society,” said Sir George, “as it was to other societies in New Zealand, when they knew of the legislation that had been passed in England prohibiting live pigeon shooting matches.—(Cheers.) I regard that as on© of the finest things that your House of Commons or Parliament has done since its inauguration. It may be that there arc tlioso who regard that statement as rather extravagant, but it is not merely because it has forbidden, the use of live pigeons, it is because of the fact that that, is only a signification, of a higher state of feeling with regard to the cruelties that are practised on dumb animals and birds.— (Renewed cheers.) It is not merely the fact that pigeon shooting has been prohibited bv the English Parliament, but it is that that Act will have a very warm and very wide effect, 1 believe, in letting people sec that even such a small thing, as it may be esteemed by some people, as the shooting of live pigeons is only something that has much wider significance, and I feel quite sure that that Act of your Parliament is going to have a wider reach and a wider effect than the mere satisfaction of Knowing that live pigeon shooting matches have boon abolished- ’ —(Cheers.) After the conclusion of the centenary dinner the Prince of Wales mingled with the guests, and with him Sir George and Lady Fenwick had the opportunity of a short chat.