“DISGUSTING PRACTICE”

Southland Times, Issue 21197, 25 September 1930, Page 7

“DISGUSTING PRACTICE”

WELLINGTON MUNICIPAL ABATTOIRS SLAUGHTER, OE PREGNANT EWES. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, September 24. A strong protest against what is termed a disgusting practice at the Municipal Abattoirs was made by a deputation representing the New Zealand Executive of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals which waited on the Public Health and Abattoirs Committee of the City Council. Mr G. Mitchell, chairman of the Wellington branch, said they wished to protest with all the strength in their power against the cruel and inhuman, not to say the disgusting, practice of slaughtering pregnant ewes for human consumption. Mr Mitchell explained that not only was this done at the Municipal Abattoirs at Wellington, but was practised commonly throughout New Zealand. In Wellington the butchers themselves were in sympathy and accord with the action being taken by the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. At a recent inspection of the abattoirs Mr Mitchell found ewes being slaughtered that, were quite close to lambing and some ewes actually lambed in the yards while waiting to be slaughtered. Mr Mitchell said he understood, that the Stock Department inspectors had power to condemn ewes within a fortnight of lambing, but the power was not being exercised. The flesh of a ewe within less than two weeks of lambing was not wholesome.

The chairman, Mr F. Meadowcroft, said that the committee was in full sympathy with the views of the deputation and would assist, with a view to having the practice prohibited. A full inquiry would be made.

It was also stated that the Government would be approached and urged to stop the practice.