DISGUSTING PRACTICE

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1930, Page 11

DISGUSTING PRACTICE

Sheep killing at abattoirs. COMPLAINT MADE BY THE S.P.C.A. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Sept. 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 the 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, inhuman, not to say disgusting, practice. of slaughtering pregnant ewes for human consumption. Mr. Mitchell explained that not only was this' done at the municipal abattoirs in Wellington, but practised commonly throughout New Zealand. In Wellington the butchers themselves were in sympathy and accord with the action being taken by the S.P.C.A. At a recent inspection of the abattoirs Mr. Mitchell found ewes being slaughtered that were quite close to lambing. Some ewes-actually lambed in the yards while waiting to be slaughtered. Mr. Mitchell 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 of the committee, Mr. Meadowcroft, said that the committee had 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.