[To the Editor of TUE SPECTATOR.] Sne,—A much-needed reform I
hope will become law when Colonel T. C. Moore's Bill for the humane slaughter of animals by means of the mechanical killer comes before Par- liament on March 31st. This is now the law in Scotland, and we have concrete proof that the quality of the meat is not injured by this form of slaughter. Scotch meat at the present time fetches the highest price in the world. Time is money in the slaughtering trade as in any other, and butchers who have once adopted the humane killer never go back to the pole-axe or the knife. The present methods of slaughter by the knife and the pole-axe are antiquated and cruel.
Mr. Charles II. Emmanuel, solicitor and Secretary of the Board of Deputies of the British Jews (therefore presumably representing Jewish opinion), states that " the Gentiles are content to continue the ghastly cruelty of the pole-axe." One hears it argued that the pole-axe brings instant death in the hands of an expert, but one must remember that to use the pole-axe effectively requires practice like anything else. What the proportion of experts may be to those who arc learning their trade I do not know, but the number of duffers is certainly high, as anyone can prove for himself by inspecting the masks of hides at any skin merchant. It will be found that, in many cases, there is more than one puncture made
by the pole-axe, whi'e in some instances these punctures run to nearly double figures. Every meat eater is morally re- sponsible that animals are humanely killed. It is therefore the duty of every person who loves animals and hates cruelty to write to their Member of Parliament and get their friends to do the same, asking their. Member to be in his place on March 31st to vote for Colonel T. C. Moore's Bill.—I am, Sir, &c., J. B. PAGET. Carlton Club, Pall Mall, S.W.1.
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