[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Mr. Leonard Noble thinks
that " unnecessary alarm " is felt about the use of proxies at meetings of the R.S.P.C.A.. as
"the addition of two blank spaces, to be filled in at pleasure. by the voter, gives the latter an absolutely free hand."
Theoretically it does so, but let us suppose the average country member receiving this proxy form. He probably knows nothing of any divergence of opinion on the Council on such subjects as (1) hunting, (2) vivisection, (3). export of worn-out horses, and, on seeing the names of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman suggested, and also observing that the form has been sent out, and is stamped and addressed for return to himself by the Chairman—he will almost certainly conclude that the latter is the person to whom he had better entrust his vote, and will fill up the form accordingly. I did this on more than one occasion myself, and only through the reports of the recent stormy meetings in the correspondence in the Press have I learnt that my vote (as possibly those of many other members) had been helping to support a policy with which I was not in sympathy.—I an:, Sir, &c., Nether-wood, Tupsley, Hereford. M. A. BINSTEAD,
Previous page
