LORD LONSDALE AND THE R.S.P.C.A.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Six,—May I be permitted to indicate to your readers, who may have been puzzled by the correspondence published in your issue of January 17th, that this correspondence is entirely between Mr. Coleridge and Lord Lonsdale, and it is a little difficult to see why it was sent to the Spectator? Mr. Coleridge is an old and respected member of the R.S.P.C.A., but lie holds no official position therein. He is not, as might perhaps be supposed from Lord Lonsdale's letter, a director of the R.S.P.C.A., although he holds that position in the National Anti-Vivisection Society.
The appointment of patrons, president and vice-presidents of the R.S.P.C.A. is vested' in the Council of the Society, being definitely provided for in rule IV (b) of the Society's Rules. The Council has not requested Lord Lonsdale to resign the vice-presidency, which he has held for many years in virtue of services rendered to the Society's work in the general prevention of cruelty.
I have no intention of discussing the question of cruelties connected with the training and management of wild animals for public performances. I hold views diametrically opposed to those of the noble Earl as to the desirability of such per- formances, even if, in some exceptional circumstances, Lord Lonsdale can guarantee that cruelty is in no way involved, but what I would desire to make clear to readers of the Spectator is that membership in the . R.S.P.C.A. does not compel the adoption of any particular policy in regard to matters not yet included within the scope of animal protection acts, and it does not seem obvious why Mr. Coleridge should desire to impose upon Lord Lonsdale conditions which do not apply to any other member, I trust that the common good sense of the annual meeting (with which Mr. Coleridge more or less threatens Lord Lonsdale) will clearly show that the great object of the R.S.P.C.A. is the co-operation of all for the prevention of cruelty, and not coercive measures for the exclusion of some who are not yet ready to go with us all the way.—I am, Sir, &c., EDITH WARD, Hon. Sec. Shropshire Branch, R.S.P.C.A. and Branch Representative of Group Nine on the Council. Acton Burnell, Salop. .
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