CASTING OF BEASTS FOR JEWISH SLAUGHTER
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sgt,—I am loath to-enter into further correspondence in this matter, but Mi. Psddison's letter contains some half-truths and- mistakes which are very likely to create a wrong im- pression. He regards it as a natural assumption " that when Sir William Baylis& and Professor Leonard Hill (who found the hand-method of casting humane) made their investiga- tions, arrangements were made " to give a favourable im- pression " of the operation. I personally invited the scientists in 'question to investigate and report. They were asked to view as many killings under normal conditions as they pleased, and for that purpose to visit the slaughterhouse whenever and as tften as they lihed. The suggestion that the " castings" were " doctored " so as to mislead them is unfair and un- justifiable.
Sir William Baylias's Report is a hard nut for Mr. Paddison,
for iris reputation vas as unimpearluobleAs his, Report. is clehr to'fiiiiie:Nrris6,ttonjao read it But see how it is sought to cast doubt on his whole-hearted approxl of the leitiOlf method
of slaughter and its preliminaries; - Paddison alleges that
Sir William did not commit .hiniself to gay that no pain was caused to the aniinals,1oi he reported-" the preliminary opera- tions are performed expeditiously and humanely." But Mr. Paddison-omits to say that Sir -William proceeded to state : "- No injury is or should be caused to the animal in the process of casting on to a padded or other soft surface, or in extend- ing the neck."
Again, Mr. Paddison takes the same course of separating a sentence from its context when quoting Sir William as report- ing (in reference to the use of the chain and crowbar in tackling a powerful bull) : it is difficult under such circumstances to be quite sure that no pain is caused. by But let-me continue.- the qUotation, and it will be evident why Mr. dison stopped at that particular point : " But the chain is.: covered with india-rubber, and there is no reason to suppose;:, that the mouth of a bullock is as sensitive as that of a horse to; bit and curb. In any case I could not observe any signs that
• T
might be interpreted as pain."
The suggestion' that- Mattresses and rubber coverings for the chains are seldom used because of their expense is without " foundation. Our killers have instructions from the Shechita, Board not to kill any animal unleSs the slanghtermen " cast it on to a mattress. I am told that the rubber coverings for!' the chains are in general use, and if information is furnished",.! to me of any cage where the slaughterhouse employees fail to use them, steps .will certainly be taken to prevent repetitions' of the omission. The Board of Shechita has not spared and; will not spare any expense in-providing both rubber coveringS. • and mattresses.—I am, Sir,' &c., 23 Finsbury Square, London, E.G. 2.
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