HUMANE SLAUGHTER
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sur,—I write with reference to a letter in your issue of October 13th by Mr. Paddison, in which he advanceshis opinion that compulsory legislation; if now enacted, Would result in chaos and cruelty and set back the whole Movement;. lIe holdS out the distressing prospect that in 'a further four years time, Allis preference were carried out only half the number of animals slaughtered wOuld then be se tinder the process by
which animals are first rendered unconscious with certainty and instantaneously.
Mr. Paddison's reasons for his preference do not commend themselves ; for they include at least four absurdities : (1) That it requires much instruction before a slaughtehnan can make proper use of an instrument which is simplicity itself— men who claim to be craftsmen. (2) That he and his demon- strators could ever manage to instruct the employees in 20,000 slaughterhouses; especially as these employees are ever changing. (8) That the staff of the R.S.P.C.A. are right in considering themselves as the directors of such matters. (4) He overlooks the fact that the master butchers, with a wonderful Federation organization, are responsible to the Local Authorities—and they again have responsibility in the matter—for the due efficiency of these men. He suggests that these responsible tradesmen cannot deal with a change of method, which very great numbers already have done. Mr. Paddison is the Adviser of the R.S.P.C.A. Council in this matter. Unless the Council repudiate his opinions much harm may be done.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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