CRUELTY IN FISHING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 246, 16 September 1929, Page 5

CRUELTY IN FISHING.

THE USE OF LIVE BAIT. PROHIBITION TO BE ADVOCATED AUCKLAND, Sept. 14. Since the publication in the New Zealand Press of a paragraph from Zane Grey’s book deprecating the use of the triple hook in sword-fishing, the question of cruelty involved in this sport has been prominently before the New Zealand Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The matter came up for consideration at the meeting of the executive committee of th elocal society, when a copy of a letter to be forwarded to the Otago Society was approved. “With regard to the difference, of opinion concerning the use of the triple hook and single hook, it must be remembered that the sportsman’s outlook is diametrically opposed to ours,” stated the letter. “He is concerned only wit hthe alleged ‘sport’ resultant, while our society is concerned with, the amount of suffering involved. There can be no question but that cruelty exists in this so-called sport, as in ail fishing where the fish is ‘played,’ but this committee is unanimously of opinion that the time Is not opportune for the S.P.C.A. in New Zealand to take direct action in the matter. We consider, however, that the of live bait should be prohibited, and the question should he discussed at the next conference with a view to securing the co-operation of fishermen to ban this practice.”