CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Southland Times, Issue 19497, 11 March 1925, Page 7

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

To the Editor. Sir, —With reference to the letter under above heading which appeared in your issue of the 9th inst., it may be news to some readers that a Society exists in New Zealand whose objects are:—The efficient protection of our Native Birds; a Bird Day for our schools; and unity of control of all wild life. Anyone wishing to assist tliis good work can do so and become a member of the Society by forwarding the small sum of 5/-, or, if a child, 1/-, to P.O. Box 631, Wellington. The late Dr. Fulton was an enthusiast on this subject, and the Band of Mercy, whose Invercargill branch is not recognised as it deserves to be, does great good by urging upon the young an intelligent study of bird life and the practice of justice and kindness to every living creature. Speaking to some people on the score of sentiment and love of Nature is speaking to deaf ears; an appeal to their self-interest is usually efficacious. Many people regard birds as unmitigated nuisances, unmindful of the good they do by destroying insect pests. The beautiful little ring-eye, Tau-hou of the Maoris, is a case in proof. If he does occasionally take toll of our fruits, surely we may allow him this return for his services previously rendered. Why will human beings not use their reasoning faculties when dealing with the so-called lower creation? I am, etc., “LOVER OF BIRDS.”