The Vegan Autumn 1963 by The Vegan Society

T H E VEGAN SOCIETY Founded

November,

1944

Veganism is a way of living which excludes all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, the animal kingdom, and includes a reverence and compassion for all life. It applies to the practice of living on the products of the plant kingdom to the exclusion of flesh, fish, fowl, eggs, honey, animal milk and its derivatives, and encourages the use of alternatives for all commodities derived wholly or in part from animals. Veganism remembers man's responsibilities to the earth and its resources and seeks to bring about a healthy soil and plant kingdom and a proper use of the materials of the earth.

President ; Mrs. E. B. SHRIGLEY, urrey. Deputy-President : Mr. JACK SANDERSON, Upminster, Essex. Vice-Presidents : Dr. F R E Y E L L I S , Dr. CATHERINE N I M M O , Mr. DUGALD SEMPLE, Miss W I N I F R E D SIMMONS. Honorary Secretary : Mrs. EVA B A I T , Enfield, Middlesex. Honorary Treasurer : Mrs. SERENA N . COLES, Purley, Surrey. Committee : Mr. H. T. BONNIE, Mrs. P. M. COLLINS, Mrs. M. DRAKE, T H E LADY DOWDING, D r . F . E L L I S , M r . M . M C C U L L O C H , M r . M . S H O L L , M r s . D. T H O M S O N .

Vegan Distribution Secretary : Purley, Surrey.

Mrs. S. COLES,

Minimum subscription, which includes "The Vegan," 15s. per annum (and 7s. 6d. for each additional member of one family at same residence); 7s. 6d. if age under 18; payable in January. Life Membership, ÂŁ10 10s. Od.

THE VEGAN JOURNAL OF THE VEGAN SOCIETY Editor : Mr. JACK SANDERSON, 5 8 Deyncourt Gardens, Upminster, Essex. Advertisements : H. H. G R E A V E S LTD., 106/110 Lordship Lane, London, S.E.22. Published quarterly: Annual subscription, 7s. post free; single copies, Is. 9d. post free. Obtainable from the Hon. Secretary. LITERATURE

" The Reasons for Veganism." 4 page leaflet. Free. " Vegan Protein Nutrition." 12 page leaflet. Is. 3d. post free. " A Handbook of Practical Veganism." 24 pages with cover. 2s. 9d. post free. " The Vegetarian and Vegan Food Guide." 2s. 6d. post free. " Unnecessary Cruelties among Farm Animals." 8 page leaflet. 6d. post free. All obtainable from the Hon. Secretary (cheque and postal orders made out to " The Vegan Society.")

THE VEGAN Journal

of the Vegan

Society

AUTUMN, 1963

EDITORIAL Very few can have done more for Vegetarianism and Veganism this year than Jack McClelland, and news is given in another article of his outstanding swim against the strong Atlantic currents off the coast of Eire. Here is a man who is not just out for new long distance swimming records, but who is determined to demonstrate what non-flesh eating can do for all mankind. Scores of thousands of people have seen him on these swims and millions have read of his successes as records have fallen to him in various parts of the world. He loses no opportunities of speaking on non-flesh eating and for some time has run a postal advisory health and diet service. Not content with his swimming and other athletic exploits he is opening a " Health Store and Juice Bar " at 309 Antrim Road, Belfast 15. (Tel. 744590). He tells me that he will sell " health foods exclusively with no animal gelatin capsules." I like the quotation on his notepaper: " Let me be your dietitian and anyone can be your doctor." We are indeed indebted to such as Jack McClelland and Muriel Drake, who make it possible for the rest of us to live the vegetarian and vegan way. They have chosen this wonderful way of serving the cause that is close to their hearts. One couple known to me made it their life task to open three Health Food Stores. There are countless fields of service and I hope that we may soon have a list ready so that when a new (or an old) member says, " This is my situation, how can I be of service," we can hand them a leaflet which could serve as a guide. Our prize-letter scheme has got off to a good start and the current prizewinner shows how all of us can useâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;inexpensivelyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the opportunities offered by the Press to bring the Vegetarian and Vegan way of life before the public. J. SANDERSON.

VEGAN

MEETINGS

November.—The Vegan Society will have a stall at the Animals' Fair on Friday and Saturday, November 22nd and 23rd. at the Royal Agricultural Hall, Vincent Square, S.W.I. There will be a variety of Vegan Foods for sale as well as sample " tasters " in the form of home-made calces and savouries. Gifts for the stall from members and friends will be greatly appreciated and will be of considerable value in helping to introduce this aspect of our way of living to others. Gifts of non-perishable articles may be sent to the secretary in advance, 123 Baker Street, Enfield, Middlesex, but please bring fruit, sweets, savoury snacks, etc., to the stall. Thank you. EVA BATT.

December.—The Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday, December 14th at 2.30 p.m. at the Caxton Hall, Westminster. (Two minutes from St. James' Park Tube Station). The ordinary business will be followed by refreshments, speakers, and a social evening. Meet old friends and make new ones and make your own personal contribution to this annual event. Post in your nominations, ideas and suggestions to the secretary please, as soon as possible.

VEGAN RECIPE BOOK Your Committee, with the aid of many members who have responded wonderfully to our request for favourite vegan recipes, have decided to produce a selection of these in leaflet form and the first few are now ready. Once again we are asking for the help of our members. We want you to test these and let us know the results. Good, bad, and indifferent as well as any alterations you may have made to adapt them to the taste of your family. In this way we can all help to produce a really good, comprehensive recipe book. There are six different leaflets now ready. Please send l/10d. for one of each including postage, or 6d. for one sample recipe leaflet, post free.

The Humane Diet—containing the life-giving properties of the sun and the earth—fruits, nuts, vegetables and cereals, are provided for man in abundance. If man would adopt the Humane Diet, many of our serious perplexities would vanish, and a healthier, happier, and more peace-loving race would arise. 2

VITAMINS A N D MINERALS IN PREGNANCY B y JANET E . LING, S . R . N . , S . C . M .

A number of expectant mothers have written to ask me what special attention should be given to the vitamins and minerals in their diet, and I am listing a few of these questions because they are typical of the queries that arise in their minds. We hear so much these days of " fortified " foodstuffs, so I will endeavour in my answers below to get away, as far as possible, from synthetic sources of supply. Questions (1). I would be interested to know whether you took any vitamin pills or iron tablets during your pregnancy ? (2). I would like to know if I am taking all the necessary vitamins. At the moment I have M.O.F. orange juice, Radiostol, calcium tablets and fersolate tablets ? (3). During your pregnancy did you have any worries about the possible lack of Vitamin B>2 in your diet ? Answers I did not take any of the " orthodox " vitamin pills from the clinic during my pregnancies, although my doctor did try to persuade me to do so. A well-balanced food reform diet should include sufficient amounts of vitamins, calcium and iron. I hope the following lists of some of the sources of these may be helpful. Vitamin A may be found in fresh apricots, blackcurrants, fresh peaches, dried apricots and prunes, tomato juice, tinned apricots and peaches. Broccoli, carrots, kale, spinach, watercress, parsley and Vecon. Vitamin B may be found in wheat germ, wholewheat bread, Barmene, Marmite, Yeastrel and brewers' yeast. Vitamin C may be found in blackcurrants, oranges, brussels sprouts, cabbage (cooked and raw), kale, mustard and cress, turnip-tops and parsley. Vitamin D. Sunshine is a most important source of this vitamin as it can be stored in the body. So every advantage should be taken of the small amount of sunshine we get in this country. Radiostol (Vitamin D in olive oil) is useful both for pregnant mothers and young children. It can be obtained in liquid and tablet form. Vitamin ÂŁ,= is a very large subject and there is still intensive research going on with it. This vitamin can be found in Velactin (a soya-based powder milk), and Barmene. It is quite likely that in a well-balanced food reform diet the body obtains adequate amounts. Science has as yet to prove or disprove this. " Plantmilk" (a vegetable-based milk manufactured by Plant3

milk Ltd. of Langley,. Bucks), will very shortly be on the market, available from Health Food Stores in the London and Greater London areas. It will be in liquid form and will contain Bn. One mother wrote to say that during her last pregnancy she experienced numbness and tingling in her hands. This was attributed to lack of Bn by her doctor and reluctantly she received a few injections of the vitamin. After her confinement the symptoms were greatly reduced. I took Vitamin Bi* tablets during my second pregnancy as I had severe tingling and numbness in my hands and arms, but these symptoms vanished after my confinement. Iron may be found in dried apricots, dates, currants, raisins, bran flakes, wholewheat flour, almonds, molasses, mustard and cress, spinach and most of all parsley and watercress. Vecon is rich in iron and also contains Vitamin A and C and iodine. If it does become necessary to take extra iron, it is advisable to enquire at the chemist whether the source of iron in the tablets prescribed is purely vegetarian. Calcium may be found in Marmite, spinach, molasses, almonds, kale, watercress and broccoli. Calcium tablets should not really be necessary. I am not happy about M.O.F. orange juice. I am not sure of its present contents, but know it used to contain liquid paraffin, so it is wiser and safer to stick to fresh orange juice. I hope this broad outline will serve as a general guide, as these are the things to take special notice of during pregnancy. It is, of course, necessary in the space of an article to deal with generalities, but if any reader has any specific problem of her own and would like to write to me I will be only too pleased to give what advice I can. 28, Lyndhurst Road, Coulsdon, Surrey.

IN A NUTSHELL In a talk with the above title given to the West Surrey Vegetarian Society on May 29th, our secretary spoke of the many misconceptions of veganism which she had met. One person, asked what he thought a vegan was, had replied, "A vegetarian who doesn't know where to stop! " Amusing as some of the replies to this question have been in the past, it is clear that there are still very many people who really have no idea at all of the aims and ideals of this Society. She would therefore begin by quoting a definition given nearly twenty years ago by Donald Watson, one of the founders of the Society. " Veganism has a precise meaning that allows of no ambiguity. It is a philosophy that seeks to establish for the first time that 4

man has no moral right to exploit animals. It differs from other animal welfare movements in that it condemns all use of animals by man, accepting that when such use is sanctioned, exploitation and cruelty follow inevitably. It shows that there is no alternative plan for the abolition of slaughterhouses except by ceasing to use animals." Mrs. Batt went on on point out that having an ideal is useless, unless we make every effort to reach it. " Veganism," she affirmed, " is morally and practically sound, nutritionally adequate and economically essential if we are ever to solve the problem of world hunger. After showing that cheese is not a vegetarian food because it involves the slaughter of young calves, she went on to speak of the exploitation of motherhood in the dairy industry, and gave a few facts concerning egg production and the latest trick of feeding yellow dye to hens to make their egg yolks resemble those from " free range " birds. The audience were invited to read the leaflet, " Unnecessary Cruelty Among Farm Animals," for detailed facts of cruel but very common practices on British Dairy Farms today. While on the subject of milk production, Mrs. Batt gave comparative examples of protein values and so-called " first" and " second class " proteins were discussed. The high nutritional value of sunflower seeds, buckwheat, millet, soya flour, and other foods was stressed and also the need to balance foods to make up the full range of amino acids of which protein is composed. On the subject of "doing without milk," Mrs. Batt reminded her listeners that since cows' milk contained more than twice the amount of protein that human milk does, it was an excellent food for calves as it was suitable for rearing large, fast-growing, smallbrained, easily-led bovine creatures. " But is this the kind of child we want ? " she asked. Under the heading "Economics of Veganism," Mrs. Batt talked of veganic agriculture and painted a bright picture of life as it could be in a garden existence without chemical sprays, poisonous fertilisersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;or slaughterhouse manures, and how our surplus food could be an instrument in creating world goodwill. Speaking of present-day examples of what can be achieved by vegans, Mrs. Batt referred to Mr. Jack McClelland and his impressive successes in the field of sports, especially long distance swimming. " Using common sense in choosing foods as whole and as natural as possible, there is nothing to fear from a strict vegan diet for the average person," she said. "And how good for the figure!" Passing on to other commodities, our secretary gave some (grim and little known facts about the treatment of sheep in places like Australia where wool production is big business. "These sheep are born and bred mainly if not solely for wool," she said, " and these atrocities are not something which can be laid at the door of the meat-eater alone. It is doubtful if animal husbandry would ever b e ' economically possible without the revenue from wool and 5

leather, often supported by non-meateaters. If I were a lamb, facing death so early in life, it would matter litttle to me whether my butchers were going to eat my heart or polish their windows with my hide. If all vegetarians, whether or not they drank milk, were to withdraw their financial support from the slaughterhouse by replacing leather and wool with some of the excellent alternatives now available, it would probably do more towards lowering meat consumption than any amount of propaganda, by helping to make meat production uneconomic. When no profit can be made out of it, you can be sure there will be no more meat, never mind about the excellence of animal protein. Then we shall all be hearing about the superior nutritional value of vegetables, fruit, nuts and grain! " Lanolin, an extract from sheep's wool, came in for criticism too. " Yes, of course it is a ' natural' product," said Mrs. Batt, " but who would consider putting the sweat of any other animal on their face?" (Vegans must be ever on the alertâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;even some toilet paper is " lanolised " now!). Mrs. Batt closed her talk by assuring her listeners that Veganism is by no means a negative thing, but a promise that even now the world can return to a balanced, harmonius existence for man and all the other animalsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;if we will it. She concluded, " Veganism is not a permanent self-denial week but a way of life full of meaning and purpose. If you can tell pork from Nutter you too can be a vegan, and we look forward to the day when meat-eaters are so few that they have to form a society to keep in touch with each other! " After the talk the latest vegan shoes were shown and discussed and many questions were asked about these and other alternatives to animal products.

PRIZE LETTER TO THE PAPERS The first 5/- prize offered by the Editor to the writer of the best letter to the papers goes to Mrs: W. M. Munday of Southampton, and she is to be congratulated on the way in which she followed up an opportunity that offered itself in her local paper The Southern Evening Echo, which circulates over a wide area of Southern Hampshire. As this is an excellent example for others to follow, the first article and three letters are given below. The first article appeared in the editorial of the newspaper. THE ANSWER ? An announcement made yesterday may prove to be of greater importance for mankind at large than anything written or said in the course of the General Election campaign. It seems that 6

British scientists have discovered a process which could provide all the protein needed by the expanding world population in the foreseeable future. The exciting claim is that food processed from grass, leaves and nuts holds the answer to the problem of over-population and under-nutrition. Until now, only animals have been able to turn grass into protein. According to its sponsors, the new mechanical method is ten times as efficient as a cow. If these claims are substantiated, the process should be given international backing. For hunger is one of the chief causes of world unrest. Mrs. Munday replied to this as follows: â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Your leading article in Friday's Echo has opened up a matter of vast importance. Ever since man has inhabited the globe there have been many saints, and philosophers, as well as humble folk, who have lived (from choice) on the " gentle fruits "â&#x20AC;˘ of the earth. (This term including nuts and legumes.) Within recent years, owing to the devoted labours of pioneers, other protein foods have become available: soya beans and flour, peanut butter and milk, sesame seed and meal, sunflower seed and meal, coconut oil meal, food yeasts and seaweed foods, as well as many other attractive items such as nut meat, savoury and sweet sandwiches pastes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all made from wholesome and unadulterated materials. Now comes the exciting news that " grass and leaves can also be used to produce protein foods "! Thus starts a " new era " so far as nutrition is concerned, and the world owes a debt of gratitude to these pioneers, whose efforts are now being crowned with success. But this information is no surprise to vegetarians and diet reformers. Concerted efforts have recently produced a soya-based " milk." This project should make its contribution to the solution of the problem of the world's dire need of protein food for the underfed millions in other countries. It also provides fresh proof that man's ingenuity, allied to Nature's prodigality, will eventually provide for every living being a diet that is adequate, wholesome, attractive and tasteful, and which has not, in its production, caused the slightest cruelty to any of the lesser creatures. Those interested in this " exciting cause " and in other kindred subjects are cordially invited to attend our meetings, where they will receive the warmest welcome. People of any colour, creed or belief (vegetarians or otherwise) are invited to join with us in our search for Nature's secrets and for a kinder and more humane way of life. MRS. WINIFRED M .

Southampton.

MUNDAY,

President, Southampton and District Vegetarian Society. 7

There was much correspondence involving various points of view and the following letter received a reply by Mrs. Munday: NO GOOD PROTESTING Whilst agreeing with your correspondents on the inhuman and cruel slaughter of animals for domestic consumption, would it not be better to campaign for painless slaughter than this senseless abuse against the flesh-eaters ? I feel sure these vegetarians have at times worn leather shoes, fur coats and drank milk (which of course they would not have unless the calves were killed) and eaten dairy products. I like their sentiments but find they are inclined to forget their dependence on these animals. W . V . H . (NETLEY).

(Name and address supplied to Editor). Mrs. Munday's prize-winning letter was: â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Once again I shall be very grateful if you will spare space to print another letter on this question, as your reader " W.V.H." (Netley) has raised a number of perplexing problems in a genuine desire for information; also I feel many other thinking people may be interested to hear that these matters are not lightly dismissed by those in our movement. (1). With regard to leather for shoesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;up to the present there has been no alternative, but now several firms are making attractive footwear in other fabrics. (2). Vegetarians do not wear fur coats, as we are constantly campaigning against the barbaric clubbing and trapping of furbearing animals; also many firms are now making attractive and reasonably-priced nylon fabric coats. (3). The drinking of milk and eating of dairy products also causes cruelty, as thousands of calves are killed daily in order that man may drink the milk! (Man is the only creature in the universe who feeds his young on the food of another species.) Milk being a food for quick-growing calves, is neither suitable nor necessary for human consumption. (Scientists have at last produced a good counterpart called Velactin.) In view of these facts, many vegetarians have also given up the use of dairy products and are known as " Vegans." Their scientific experiments in producing alternatives are worthy of the highest praise. The Vegetarian Society (Manchester) and the London Vegetarian Society, and the Vegan Society are in close touch with many large manufacturers of foodstuffs and toilet requisites, and regularly publish lists in their journals of animal-free products. We therefore invite all others interested in these vital matters to contact us for further informationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;or better still, help us with their practical interest. MRS. WINIFRED M .

MUNDAY.

Look out for similar opportunities in your newspapers and magazines and if there isn't one just now, why not initiate similar correspondence. Please send your cuttings with the name of the newspaper, land date to the Editor.

BABY CALF B y DOROTHY

THOMSON

How much for shivering skin and bone ; How much are you prepared to pay To own this fleshless scrap of life Whose eyes have scarcely seen the day ? See the little cage of ribs rippling through the silken skin. Fat men are leaning on the fence To view a calf so small and thin It could be but a few days old. So frail and vulnerable there Faint from foodless journeying It trembled in the market square. The fat men bartered, pondered, peered, The calf looked out from limpid eyes. Beneath their silken fringes where It viewed a world where pity dies, Where creatures are but flesh and bone A substance without mind or life To suffer for their innocence And fall beneath the scarlet knife. Will no one buy this helpless calf, That life has shaped and made in vain That in the abattoir may end Its hours of misery and pain?

JACK McCLELLAND'S GREAT SWIM Many readers will remember meeting Jack McClelland earlier in the year when he flew over from Belfast specially to attend the Annual Vegan Dinner. Although in earlier years he took part in international soccer, running and cycling events, he is now internationally known as one of the world's great long distance swimmers. Recently he added to his laurels by being the first to swim across Galway Bay. He accomplished this feat on July 28th in just under 7 hours swimming from Black Head in County Clare 9

THE GALWAY BAY SWIM, 28TH JULY, 1963

Jack McClelland, Mr. G. Nelson (manager of Toft's Arcade, the sponsors) and the Mayor of Galway, Mr. M. Divilly.

swim

to Salthill. His only sustenance was water and brown sugar and his last meal was consumed 14 hours before entering the water. Allowing for currents (very strong Atlantic ones!) the swim was nearly 20 miles. There was some suspense when a number of giant basking sharks came alongside the official boats soon after they had left the Clare coast. Last week a blue shark, a dangerous variety, was caught in this area and large specimens of blue shark have been seen in the area. Mrs. McClelland, who always accompanies her husband, tried to persuade him to leave the water but it was decided that the sharks surrounding the boats were of the harmless type and the swim continued. An American lady swimmer gave up the same swim a few days later because of the sharks. In glorious conditions he made excellent progress and within five hours was close to the Connemara coast off Silver Strand. Up to this there had been no problems, although he said afterwards that the water was colder in places than he had expected and some currents were very cold. Off Silver Strand he was struck by a strong ebb tide and for an hour and a half could make little progress. Up to this he had been afraid that he would be at 10

Salthill too early. A slight misfortune occurred in this area when he hit a submerged rock but he escaped without injury. The currents off Silver Strand were of extraordinary strength and a warning has been sounded to swimmers in that area not to venture too far out from the shore. He received a tumultuous ovation from thousands of people (police estimate 50,000) lining the promenade and foreshore. It is said that there were more to greet him than had greeted President Kennedy a few weeks earlier. First to greet the champion was the Mayor of Galway, Mr. M. Divilly, who congratuated him on being the first to swim Galway Bay. The enthusiasm of the crowd was such that Gardai had to force a passage for Mr. McClelland from the shore to the roadway above.

THE IRISH TRAFFIC THE TRUTH (A report received from the Horses & Ponies Protection Society) There is no regulation prohibiting the export of horses from Ireland for slaughter on the Continent. In March, 1963, the Government changed the age limit and banned the shipping for slaughter of horses that were more than five years old. Since then there have been several shipments of dealers' horses to Belgium described as " work horses "; there is no age limit for these horses. On arrival they are quarantined for about a week and are then free to be sold to anyone. The highest price on the market is that for horses for slaughter. Our Investigator who has just returned from Ireland watched the shipping from Dublin docks of a consignment of 30 " work horses " loaded on the S.S. City of Dublin for Antwerp. They were mainly heavy draught animals in fat condition. Several of them were aged horses that had already done many years of hard work. The fate of these exported horses is being investigated and information so far received from Belgium confirms our worst fears. As soon as the evidence is complete the Association will join the Irish Societies in urging the Department of Agriculture to control this export of so-called " work horses " and prevent it being used as a means to defeat the Irish Government's age ban. We therefore appeal to you to support our efforts to obtain a TOTAL BAN on the export of Irish horses for slaughter. This would end once and for all the sordid trade which has caused so much suffering to thousands of horses to enrich some callous dealers. From the Secretary, Horses & Ponies Protection Association, 12 Moscow Road, Queensway, London, W.2. (Park 2152). 11

FESTIVE MENU B y MABEL SIMMONS

Carrot Drink. Stuffed Brazil Nut Roast. Chestnut Stuffing, Brown Gravy. Brussels Sprouts, Braised Tomatoes. Roast Potatoes. Christmas Pudding, Mince Pies. Dandelion Coffee. Sweets Carrot Drink 1 lb. carrots, ^ yard coarse muslin. ' Grate carrots on fine grater. Place wet muslin over basin; put grated carrot on muslin and squeeze hard into basin. Pour juice in glasses (or use juicer). Stuffed Brazil Nut Roast \ lb; Brazil nuts (milled). ÂŁ lb. onions. 2 oz. margarine. Seasoning. \ lb. fresh wholemeal ÂŁ oz. powdered sage, bread crumbs. Gravy or wholemeal sauce. Mix nuts, crumbs and seasoning together. Cut onions finely and fry golden brown in margarine. Sprinkle sage over when cooked. Place onion on top of mixture, pour over about 5 tablespoons of gravy; make into a stiff roll. Cut through the centre, place stuffing on one half, cover with the other half. Place on greased tin cover with greased paper and bake in hot oven for | hour. Garnish with watercress or parsley. Chestnut Stuffing 1 lb. chestnuts 2 oz. wholemeal bread crumbs 1 tablespoonful chopped (fresh), parsley 2 oz. margarine. Seasoning. Sauce. Place chestnuts in cold water, bring to the boil, peel, boil until cooked, mash or press through sieve, add parsley, crumbs, grated margarine. Bind with thick wholemeal sauce. Mix well, then place mixture on nut roast. 12

Brown Gravy 1 oz. wholemeal flour. 1 teaspoonful Barmene 1 oz. margarine. 1 teaspoonful Vesop. £ pt. stock. Seasoning. Melt margarine, remove from fire, drop in Barmene, stir in flour, mix well, gradually stir in stock. Return to fire, stir until it boils, add seasoning. Christmas Pudding | lb. currants. | grated nutmeg. \ lb. sultanas. 2 oz. chopped almonds. ^ lb. seedless raisins. 6 oz. fresh wholemeal bread£ lb. stoned raisins. crumbs. 1 lb. mixed chopped peel. 2 oz. wholemeal flour. | lb. grated suenut. 1 cup of orange juice or red | lb. brown sugar. moselle. Wash fruit and dry, mix all dry ingredients together, grate in suenut and nutmeg. Lastly stir in orange juice or moselle. Let mixture stand over night. Put into greased basin, cover with greaseproof paper and cloth. Steam 8 hours, turn out of basin when cooked. Mince Pies ^ lb. currants. \ lb. brown sugar. £ lb. sultanas. i lb. chopped mixed peel. | lb. seedless raisins. | lb. grated suenut. } lb. stoned raisins. Rind and juice of lemon. J lb. apples. £ nutmeg. Wash fruit, chop finely, add grated apple, lemon rind, suenut, nutmeg. Mix all well together with a fork, lastly adding lemon juice. Put in glass jar, cover. Pastry for Mince Pies £ lb. wholemeal flour. 1 oz. soft sugar. | lb. nutter. Cup of water. Rub nutter into flour, add sugar, mix with water into soft dough. Roll out thinly. Line patty tins, place mincemeat in, cover with pastry, prick top. Bake in hot oven 15 to 20 minutes. SWEETS Stuffed Dates 2 oz. desiccated coconut.

£lb. dates. 2 oz. almonds. Stone dates, place half almond in, roll in coConut. paper cases.

Place .in 13

Marzipan Potatoes \ lb. soft brown sugar. Juice of 1 lemon. \ lb. ground almonds or Almond essence, cashew nuts. Mix sugar and nuts together, mixing with wooden spoon. Add juice of lemon sufficient to make mixture firm. Form in potatoes, roll in chocolate or cocoa. Stuffed Carlsbad Plums Stone plums, replace with marzipan mixture, roll in ground nuts. Marzipan Walnuts Cover walnuts with marzipan. Roll in ground walnuts. All enquiries about recipes should be sent to Miss Mabel Simmons (Teacher of Vegetarian Cookery), London, N.W.I 1.

COMMODITY A N D OTHER NEWS B y EVA BATT

Cranks 2 June 11th saw the opening of "Cranks 2," just around the corner from the popular Cranks Salad Table in Carnaby Street, London, W.l. Remember that " Cranks " and "Cranks 2 " are not vegan b u t " whole food" restaurants where vegan requirements are fully understood and excellent salads, wholemeal bread, and nut butters can be enjoyed. Brazil Nut Marzipan. One of our members who is using all his influence and persuasive powers to get new, high quality vegan foods into the shops recently sent us a sample of a brazil n u t marzipan from Eustace Miles. Made from finest nuts and light Barbados sugar only, it tasted excellent. It should ibe in the Health Food Shops by the time this reaches our members. Kemp's Wyna Biscuits contain some animal far. Kemp's vegan biscuits will be listed in the next issue. Lyons Maid—Eldorado—Neilson state that " Glo-Creme " Ice Cream (the wrapper of which reads:—"Contains vegetable fat, sugar, dextrose, vegetable gum, flavouring, saccharin, sodium citrate, food colouring ") does, in fact, also contain milk. G. R. Lane, Charabs Ltd., Horton Road, Gloucester. Vegan products include: — 14

Garlane Blackcurrant Health Drink, Garlane Natural Lemon Juice, Befit Savoury Yeast 'Extract, Garlane Apple Cider Vinegar. We are sometimes asked how gelatine is made. The following paragraph which appeared under the heading, " The ' LowDown ' on Gelatine Deserts " in the beautiful vegetarian publication Today's Food is interesting: â&#x20AC;&#x201D; " Strictly speaking, according to a letter we have received from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, all gelatin is from animal sourcesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the tasteless, odourless, brittle substance extracted by boiling bones, hooves, hides, and connective tissue from beef, pork and in some cases, even fish. One manufacturer who makes one of the most popular brands informs us that pork makes the best gelatin, but that their finished product is ' so reconstituted, or purified, that it bears little resemblance to the original animal material.' " Grey Flannel Courtelle With the advent of grey " flannel " Courtelle now being used for women's winter dresses we are one large step nearer the all Vegan winter suits and overcoats for men. The adaptation of this latest man-made material from Courtaulds, to make it suitable for men's wear, should not present any real difficulty to the manufacturers. Winter Footwear As you will have read in the national press, boots are high fashion for this winter and quite a few of them are made from materials other than leather. To know which is important, and we can recommend the brand " Airborne " at 42/11 to our members. If you have no local stockist, these can be ordered in confidence by post from Mrs. Steel, of Banstead, Surrey. The boots are fully-lined, calf-length, in light beige P.V.C. with well ridged rubber soles, and come in half-sizes from 3 to 7 inclusive. They may be sent on approval if required. We are awaiting confirmation concerning the adhesive content, but it is very unlikely indeed that the " hoof and fish " type of glue would be used as it has not been found to be successful on the new types of man-made " leathers." I sent for a pair (although goodness knows more footwear is the last thing I need, as I always buy and try out all the models we recommend) and was pleased with the comfort and appearance. Watch for the new Clarks shoes with " Corfan " uppers. This is another leather alternative perfected by the Du Pont Company 15

of America and should add greatly to the variety of attractive vegan shoes next year. Practical Veganism The second edition of our helpful and popular booklet Practical Veganism by John Heron is now ready and. members are reminded that this comprehensive 24-page production makes an ideal introduction to our way of life, especially for those who so often say, " I am interested but wouldn't know where to begin." A glance at a few of the contents will explain why vegans and others find it so helpful: The use of whole food. The replacement of animal protein by plant protein. The change over. Vegan alternatives to animal products. Eleven pages of recipes including plantmilk, cheeses, sprouted seeds and other cooked and raw dishes. Proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins in the vegan diet, etc. Why not keep several copies on hand. 2/9d. each, post free, generous discount allowed on 6 or more copies. This also applies to the other booklet by the same author Vegan Protein Nutrition, 1 /3d. each, post free. Please say if you would like any free literature when ordering. We are pleased to have been assured that this year the Summer Show in Battersea Park has included no performing animals. Due in no small measure, we feel, to the constant and persevering work of Capt. McMichael and his helpers in the Performing Animals Defence League. A new member in Australia has two daughters anxious to correspond with young vegans in this countr and her sister Jan is 15. Their address is Mount Albert, Auckland, New Zealand.

A VEGAN ABROAD B y EVA BATT

{Continued from our Summer

number)

From what we were able to judge in so short a time, the cost of living in Jamaica (not counting alcohol and tobacco, which is really the cost of dying, anyway) is probably only a little higher than in Great Britain. As in Trinidad, some towns boast a Woolworth's stores (which seemed very out of place) and selfservice grocery stores. The temperature varies only a few degrees throughout the year between 70째F. and 80째F. in the shade. 16

Calypso singers and limbo dancers are everywhere; some are very talented and graceful, others are " buskers." A very good troup was invited onto the Batory to perform just before we set sail again—a beautiful and memorable display. We left this island with a strong desire to return. North West now, past Cuba and into the Gulf of Mexico with Florida on our right and Mexico on our left, then 170 miles up the mighty and romantic Mississippi. We were about ten miles short of New Orleans when the American Health Officials boarded the ship to inspect all passports and vaccination certificates. Speculation among the other passengers (some still suffering with sore arms) about our chances of landing was running high. A few had visions of the Batt: family being incarcerated on Ellis Island! We too felt a little less confident than when we started out, but even while we were marshalling our thoughts for anticipated questions on our medical history, we were given a printed form and a few words of welcome and we were in! No forms to sign, no questions to answer. Maybe because our stay was to be so short. And so at last to New Orleans, three cities in one—the French Quarter, the beautiful Spanish section and New Orleans. The town was originally a small French settlement, the sidewalks in the Creole section are still called " Banquettes," and the conglomerate and ornate Creole architecture and the charming courtyards of Spanish origin are carefully preserved and form a vivid contrast to the new part of the city. New Orleans is now America's second most important port, but in 1803 when Thomas Jefferson sent a commission to France to negotiate with Napoleon for the purchase of New Orleans, Talleyrand declined to sell New Orleans alone because, he said, " Without New Orleans all of Western America is valueless to us " . . . and so all Louisiana with New Orleans was bought from the French for fifteen million dollars. The port has a water frontage of 133 miles, of which 50 miles are on the Mississippi. New Orleans is not only on the river, but to a great extent it seems to be made of the river and the vast levees. Much of it is below sea level and it takes the constant efforts of eleven pumping stations to keep the city and the Mississippi separate. In parts houses must be built on piles 80 to 100 feet long, and in the cemeteries all burials must be above ground as any attempt to dig a grave only results in a pond, so burial ovens (which are really family tombs, not incinerators) line the cemetery walls. Many of the older houses have a permanent tilt, due to subsidence through pile rot. The rainfall is heavy and the atmosphere humid and subtropical. In 1950 yellow fever killed 80 per cent, of the population. At the present time 30 per cent, of the residents are negroes and being in the deep South segregation is the general practice. It was my first experience of this and I found it embarrassing. • • 17

As if the mighty Mississippi and its levees do not provide enough water we can travel a few blocks to see Lake Pontchartrain. I do not know the size of this but a causeway which connects the north and south shores in a dead straight line is the world's longest bridge—nearly 29 miles of it. This means that eight miles are always out of sight over the horizon! It was finished in 1956 (at a cost of fifty million dollars)—an extraordinary feat of engineering. Vieing with this is the Huey Long Bridge across the Mississippi (it is impossible to get away from this river!). This had to be built in the form of an elongated letter "S" and the approaches on either side are each four miles long. We were over the river when we discovered that the roads carrying the traffic protrude like unsupported shelves on either side of the steel structure of the bridge. A look over the side gives the impression of absolute and complete insecurity. It was built in 1935. We also saw the foundations going down, for Interstate Highway Ten which will run from California to Florida. As there is, they say, no rock or slate subsoil near the river, this section of Interstate Highway Ten looks like being a bit squelchy! Actually it seemed they were burying another steel framework bridge in the ground first. Jefferson Highway was interesting; at one point we could see where it went over an over-pass, which itself was over a road which again was over an underpass, i.e., Underpass—Road—Overpass—Jefferson Highway. Canal Street, the main highway in the city, carries eight lanes of traffic and is one of the most brilliantly lit streets in the world. Prices are competitive but drugstore food is very much like ours, uniformly dull and flavourless. Ersatz everything. The gift shops all have a good supply of stuffed baby alligators, some climbing up ornaments, some circling mirrors, whilst pathetic little ones are on ashtrays! The Mississippi mud favours the production of these profitable reptiles. In Louisiana more furs are trapped than in Canada, mostly Nutria and Muskrat, and more rice is grown in Louisiana than in China! Many trees are festooned with untidy looking grey drapes of " Spanish Moss." This is not a moss, neither is it Spanish. It would appear to be a parasite but this is not so. It clings to the bark only and draws its nourishment from the damp air. The people have many uses for it as it is springy when dried and makes excellent upholstery padding. " Green when wet," they said but it did not rain during our visit so we did not see it at its best. The fishmongers use it to keep shell fish alive in the shops as it will hold a lot of water like seaweed. The people, black and white, we found to be very cheerful and friendly—particularly interested in anything English. We often found we were answering questions instead of asking them. The general air is unhurried—quite unlike that in the Northern 18

States. Only segregation and the stuffed baby alligators prevented this from being an outstandingly happy visit. As it was, it was probably one of the most interesting we have ever spent. A few days travelling South East again brings us back to the Caribbean and Haiti. This country, an all-black republic for 150 years, together with Dominique forms another tropical island. But how unlike the popular conception of a palm fringed island in the Caribbean! Of this country I can only say that the approaches are more favourable than the impression one takes away. The tourist is besieged by beggars and touts who swarm around the ship in their little boats and stay with him like a bodyguard of bees all the time he is ashore. In fact one might say leechesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;they are just as difficult to remove. Until 1800 Haiti was owned by France but considered of no especial value. (Probably why they returned it to the Haitians?) It is very dusty and in many parts bare of any vegetation. Sisal is grown here in large quantities. There are goats, poultry and a few horses (the first we have seen) and a cow which the taximan said was fed on a.certain type of cactus and banana leaves. We had no opportunity to check on this but certainly there were no pasture meadows for grazing. We were taken to see the " nice houses where the Americans live." On the way we passed the other kind. The home of. an American who made a million out of milling white flour was pointed out with pride. Everywhere we were urged to " Buvez Coco Cola." It seems these signs are unavoidable wherever one goes, only the language changes. After a while one begins to wish one could arrive somewhere ahead of the Coco Cola salesman! Just a little less flagrantly, but with outstanding unsubtlety, Port Au Prince offers Voodoo displaysâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;suitably edited for squeamish tourists of course (the sacrificial cockerel is pre-killed, we are assured)â&#x20AC;&#x201D;folk dancing, cock fighting, gambling and similar " attractions." We took the alternative, a trip up into the mountains. Voodoo rites are still held in deepest secrecy in the hills, and there is a strong suspicion that cannibalism, although now officially illegal, is not necessarily extinct. Bananas, oranges, coffee, sugar and rum, plus fields of pineapples and a sizeable cannery for these. For the tourist, carved mahogany book-ends, the supply of which appears to be limitless. We saw no signs of re-afforestation of these fine mahogany trees, so we fear this asset will also be exhausted eventually. Sisal also is grown in considerable quantities. There is a large cock-fighting stadium, but the football arena is closed for lack of support. Cocks are for sale everywhere, some " eating," some " fighting." The police carry batons and guns with an air of hopeful anticipation for an opportunity (or an excuse?) to use them. It was not long before we became self-conscious in our 19

" d e c e n t " clothes and too embarrassed by our comparative affluence to presume to take photographs of these obviously oppressed people. Our Polish ship and the American " Riviera " Jay at anchor in the Bay like two flamboyant basking whales, with their bunting and fairy lights throwing the contrasting conditions on shore into even greater relief. For once we returned to the security of the ship and civilisation with considerable relief, and a shiver of guilt for the fact that we had been unable to do anything at all for the sad faces we had left. Something like coming away from a circus or the zoo. When it came to it we were totally inadequate. Staring without caring, the Haitians must have thought. Back on the ship it was interesting to note the reactions of the other passengers. Those who went straight to the casino had enjoyed it, but they had seen nothing of the real people and their conditions. Others approved of the cheap taxis and the custom of giving free samples of the local brandy to visitors. Most had paid a brief visit to the Cathedral with its colourful murals, and had felt too the despair of the people. The converted are mostly Catholics, and they pray as they beg, with zeal but with no real expectation of relief. From what? (At the time of making these notes we did not know but were determined to find out what we could about the shadow which hung over all like a shroud. Since then the shocking state of affairs has been in the news due to the revolt of some sections and " P a p a " Duvalier has declared martial law.) In the ship's library we managed to find a book on modern Haiti written less than two years before by a visiting reporter. It goes a long way towards explaining the air of insecurity which hangs over the people of the Republic like a shroud. In Red Rumba, Nicholas Wollaston tells the story of the Dictator President, Dr. Francois Duvalier, with his rigged elections, corrupt officials and private army of 10,000 Tonton Macouts (thugs in our language). Anyone passing his palace is advised not to stop. The guard with the threatening rifle might not use it, but few people who know anything of Dr. Duvalier's lack of scruples would care to put it to the test, so we all " keep moving " as instructed. According to Mr. Wollaston, before the so-called general election of 1961 the " tough " Duvalier " purged " the country of many university professors, high ranking army officers who could not be bought, a Bishop, an Archbishop and many priests and other intellectuals. But just as bad was the silent acquiescence of Haiti's big business men. These tennis-playing whisky-drinking opportunists saw what was happening and made no protest. Many people were starving, almost all were victims of graft and corruption, but the businessmen sipped their rum punch and paid their profits into American banks with the excuse that " It is happening everywhere, we could not stop it." 20

The adopted language of the peasants is a type of Creole (less than 10 per cent, can read or write), but Duvalier makes all his speeches in French. Only later do the people learn what is expected of them, often to their great surprise and dismay. Under an anti-communist banner, Duvalier, with financial aid from the U.S.A., armed and trained his " army." Now, because the U.S. refuses to allow these thugs to take a cut from U.S. gifts any longer, food, meant for the hungry people, lies rotting in the warehouses of Port Au Prince docks. Like France many years ago, the U.S.A. has now given up hope of helping Haiti. " It is impossible to do anything," said an official. " We have stopped wasting our money." . . . . No wonder we shivered in the sun! We have since learned that a Methodist missionary, helped by a Haitian doctor and a few European ladies, runs a dispensary and clinic on the waterfront. We regretted not knowing about this beforehand as we would have welcomed the opportunity to talk to these brave and self-sacrificing people about the conditions and problems. So on to Martinique, Department of France, with its positive jungles of trees and shrubs up in the hills. Very refreshing after Haiti with its priscilia trees, arborescent ferns tall as trees, flamboyant trees, balisiers, ginger plants, mimosa, azaleas and what we had by now come to look upon as " usual," the palms, bananas, hibiscus, poincianas, poinsettia, etc., plus cows, goats, wild boar (they breed and eat these) and chickens. Here we saw the long, swinging nests of the birds of paradise. We visited SaintPierre where in 1902, 40,000 inhabitants lost their lives when it was completely destroyed by the volcanic eruption "of Mount Pelee overlooking the town. The town was rebuilt but another (dry) eruption in 1930 covered it in red hot cinders. N o lives were lost but a great deal of damage was done and fires started by the now innocent looking Mount Pelee. Fishing is a large industry in Martinique, and the small dark-sanded beaches are festooned with nets. The fishermen use small boats called "commiers " each hand-fashioned from a single gum tree. Only a very brief stop here then on to Lisbon in Portugalâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a beautiful, bustling city about which I wrote after my visit two years ago. The public gardens are well worth a second visit. This time we looked down on the city after dark, a really beautiful sight with its floodlit castles, monasteries and figure of Christ high against the dark sky. In the old part, glazed tiles everywhere show Moorish influence, and narrow streets with rows of drip-drying draped between balconies bring one right up to date. We saw the palace of Queen Mary the First with oranges ripening on little trees in the beautifully kept grounds. The Portuguese are very keen on topiary and examples of it are found in these gardens and all public 21

places. Their love of neatness and order is a treat in itself after the laissez-faire of the tropics. The people obviously greatly enjoyed the visit of our Queen Elizabeth four years ago; they seem to date most other events by it. We kept hearing, " That was just after Queen Elizabeth was here," or " Your Queen admired this very much when she was â&#x20AC;˘ here," etc. After the tropical gardens and the beautiful wide avenues in the centre of the city, the things which interested us most were a Moorish Palace and a street lift. We were not sure when the palace was built but believe the first restoration of it was in the 13th century. In the huge kitchens were the hand-turned spits on which whole animals were roasted, wood-burning ranges like kitchen coppers and enormous bread ovens in which several families could sleep. We were told that this particular palace was most likely used as a hunting lodge. Our guide, whose English was rather home-made, miscalled it a haunting lodge and perhaps he was not so far wrong. Outside, however, was where the occupants must really have enjoyed themselves in the hot weather. In a walled section of the grounds a system of plumbing enabled jets of water to be sprayed from small holes all round the tiled walls which must have been rather like gentle, open-air showers, or bathing in a fountain. The street lift takes one from one level of the city to another and must be a great boon, for the streets are practically all steeply sloped and in this particular spot there is only one way and that is straight up. Thenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;home, with our mementoes, the reward of shopping expeditions executed with a generous sprinkling of international gestures; and our memories of cold showers that were always warm, the almost intense inertia which attacks everyone in the tropics and Coco Cola signs in five languages.

Do you ever wonder " What is in it?" when purchasing Soup, Soap or Margarine? Don't ' hope for the best' in future, send for

THE VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN FOOD GUIDE WITH HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS and know which are the humanely produced articles. This 40-page booklet lists hundreds of items conveniently grouped for quick reference. 2/6d. post free, from: THE VEGAN SOCIETY, 12J Baker Street, Enfield, Middlesex

WHALES You can't cuddle a whale. Neither to the ordinary sentimental animal-lover is its appearance prepossessing or in the least endearing. But unless good sense and good faith prevail during the coming years the whale as a species is faced with the real threat of decimation of its numbers to an extent which is never likely to face the cat and dog populations of the world, at least in civilised countries. Whales have been hunted by man for many centuries but the advent of pelagic whalingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in which the whole operation including the processing is performed at sea through the use of vast factory shipsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;made possible intensive and prolonged slaughter with no time wasted during the season which in the case of the Antarctic pelagic whaling is now December 12th to April 7th. Greed among the whaling companies in the scramble for the spoils, the indifference of Governments to the growing danger of extermination despite the warnings of experts, and the ignorance and apathy of the general public who consume the products have all contributed to the state of affairs which made some concessions by the whaling nations a vital and inescapable necessity at the meeting of the International Whaling Commission in London from July 1st to 5th this year. The Times of April 24th, 1963, published a frank report from Oslo which stated: " . . . each time the economy of the industry gained preference over the conservation of the whale stock. The result was evident this season when neither the Norwegians nor the British, Russians nor Dutch were able to catch their allotted quota. The season 1962-63 has been the writing on the wall." And this: " The major obstacle has been the impossibility of getting all the Governments concerned to agree to limitations severe enough to halt the decline in whale population." Mr. Anders Jahre, one of the leading Norwegian whaling pioneers, is quoted as saying: " Today whaling is dead as a source of income for Norway. This is regrettable, but we have to face it. Time will show, but we must be prepared to write off whaling, however reluctantly we do it." How far do the concessions agreed to in principle at the recent meeting of the International Whaling Commission go towards minimising Mr. Jahre's forecast? It would appear not very far when one considers that in the last season the whaling nations were only able to catch 11,300 blue whale units out of their overall allotted quota of 15,000 units and yet the new overall quota agreed upon for the coming season is 10,000 units. A reduction of one-third could sound magnanimous but when with " no holds barred " the fleets could find only 1,300 more units last season than the new figure of 10,000 then it is clear that the conservation position is still crucial. 23

The tragedy of man's cruel exploitation of the whales tends to leave the thinking individual who cares about their fate with a sense of impotence. What is it possiole to do in the face of the insatiable demand for continuing profits in the whaling industry for as long as the stocks last? Two things present themselves: firstly, to help publicise the unsavoury facts to an ever-widening public and perhaps through these means encourage the Press to give more publicity to them with the result that public opinion could be brought to bear upon the Government; secondly, to use and foster the use of vegetable oil commodities in preference to whale oil products. Both these courses of action have been pursued by this Crusade in the eight years of its existence during which time we have given hundreds of lectures to both adults and children throughout this country and a number abroad, and have shown films about whaling which, although by no means as outspoken as one would wish, have awakened the imagination of our audiences with the result that their compassion goes out not only to the more familiar animals but also to the hapless denizens of the deep â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the whales. We also know that as a direct result of our efforts in this way many thousands of people have begun to buy humanely-produced vegetable products rather than be a party to the horrors of whaling. In addition we have seized every opportunity to give publicity to the revelations and merciful activities of Dr. Harry R. Lillie whose fine book about the whaling and sealing industries, Path Through Penguin City, did so much to alert the public to the sufferings of the whales and their decreasing numbers. Publicising the facts about mass cruelty to animals caused through man's greed does not have the popular appeal of more attractive subjects but it must be done. For too long the blinkers have been tightly fixed over the eyes of most civilised people. In pursuing our comprehensive policy of enlightenment and education among the unconverted public vigorously and forthrightly since 1955 the Crusade has blazed a new trail which is having far-reaching repercussions through the awakening of the public conscience. No, you cannot cuddle a whale but we shall continue our unceasing efforts to impress upon the so-called " animal-loving " public that this is not the criterion by which one judges whether an animal is worth protecting or not. A well-known playwright wrote in one of her plays that savages are not really cruel. They merely suffer from a sleep of the imagination. Is not this the besetting sin of so many people in civilised countries, particularly regarding man's cruel exploitation of the animals? So many do not think, therefore they do not care and consequently do not act. We in this Crusade are directing all our energies and resources towards this vital task of " stretching the imagination " of the 24

public and we welcome the active support of all who share our view about the urgency of this matter. Not only the future of the animals but also of man himself depends upon his awareness and action regarding the problems of conservation relating to this planet with which he is now faced. If the terrible suffering of the whales can help in some measure to bring this truth home then perhaps some good can be said to come out of their relentless slaughter. Articles on the whaling problem have been published in the May/June and July/August issues of our Crusade journal. If still available, copies will be sent to any enquirer upon receipt of 6d. in stamps. Send also for our graphic leaflet containing an article by Dr. Lillie entitled " Slaughter in the Polar Seas." MARGARET A .

COOPER,

Secretary, Crusade Against All Cruelty to Animals, 3 Woodfield Way, Bounds Green Road, London, N . l l .

THE VEGAN WAY B y QUEENIE

DAWE

The vegan way of life is helpful, for individuals and for the world, for it holds within it three aspects related to life as a whole: â&#x20AC;&#x201D; (1). The prevention of suffering and cruelty imposed on the creatures. (2). A witness that the pure way of living is right and possible. (3). Awareness of deeper insights that can be gained. First of all, for those who are vegans, comes the intuitive feeling that we must live as nearly as we can on the abundant foods provided by Nature, which are natural for frugivorous mankind. This assures us that we shall not cause unnecessary suffering for creatures that might otherwise be kept in bondage. We come to appreciate the varied fruits, nuts and vegetables, and become glad to give up dairy products and eggs. In a battery system where a thousand hens were confined, disease set in and all the hens had to be burned. We are familiar with what happens to calves, cows and bullocks in undesired sacrifice. Sufficient be it to say that we would seek the ways of righteousness and health. Our task as human beings is to see that these younger sentient creatures have their meed of life for growth, knowing our pity and our friendliness. 25

To witness to right ways of living is at once a privilege and a responsibility. This way of life considers the creatures and mankind, because all life is one. It may imply a vegan diet, with the use of footwear and commodities that are not animal products. It calls for much more, urging us to desire peace and justice, freedom for service and provision for all. Scientists tell us that the right use of soil and crops can bring adequate food supplies. As we become mindful of others we discover a closeness of relationship that brings sympathy into our outlook and new energy for service Quiet mental discipline, appreciating truth and beauty, helps towards positive thought that is health-giving, and brings awareness of the needs of others for a loving ministry. This service may be a hidden one in the home or amidst the crowds, and some of the work will certainly foe within us, instant, intuitive, prayerful. It becomes more possible by practice and by upbuilding the life through pure nourishment for the body, mind and emotions. Deeper insights come as a result of creative living, so that we become aware that "the Earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof." There are so many delights in Nature and in Art that wonder, enjoyment and wisdom may well grow together. Some may see the divine purpose of good for all Souls; while others become aware of the place of this small Earth within a vast Universe. This insight is at the same time practical and spiritual. The activity of life is in daily outer occupation and relationship, but power for it comes from within, acquired through patience and the humble approach of one who desires to find Love and to give it. Right ways of living help towards fuller sacrifices and attainments; these lead into a new freedom, with energy for service that is rich in spiritual experience.

T H E VEGAN (By

R U B I N ABRAMOWITZ,

of California, U.S.A.)

Out of the centuries and the gloom Of time arise new concepts, and A way of life completely different Passing strange, " Veganism." Its Appeal is grounded strongly in basic Principlesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;humus-filled, mineralâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;packed Earth, and roots of plant, tree and Bush, sucking its nutrient solutions, Giving forth the rich harvest of Colour, fruit, blossom, grain, herb and leaf. 26

Orchards—odoriferous, delightful to scent And palate; filled with red apple, Yellow peach, red pomegranate, Purple plum, golden orange, green melon, Luscious grapes, russet pear—each a joy To behold. Meadows and fields with Waving wheat, crested corn, rye, millet, Oat and barley ; the soy-bean, pinto, kidney, Pink and white, the green pea and legumes. Who can resist the great-leaved Cauliflower, cabbage and lettuce, Dark green celery, shy cucumber, Fiery tomato, imbedded carrot and potato ? Last come the nuts, exotic with intriguing Flavours and tastes—pignolia, cashew, coconut, Filbert, walnut, pecan, almond, hickory, Peanut—rich with oils and protein, The sustainers of life and vitality. The tropics, too, yield glorious fruit, The yellow bananas, mangoes, plantains, Papayas, pineapples, sapotes and many strange Foods almost unknown to men of the North. This is the food of the Vegan, who loves The earth with its precious burden, The tossing grain, the heavy-laden fruit trees And the waiting rows of vegetables. Without fear, he takes his share of earth's Bounty, There is plenty for all, no denial here. The Vegan looks square in the Eyes of men and knows his hands are Clean of blood, of scream and torture, Of trap and exploitation. In man's evolution there is no room for Slaughter, vivisection, violence or pain. Walk in the ways of peace, living simply— With few wants, co-operating wherever possible, To make a happier, and better, And truly Civilized world. The gentle man, freedom-loving animal, And Fruits of earth—that is our destiny ! And Veganism is a gigantic step forward In this vast scheme of things. (From " T h e Symphony of Compassion," a collection of poems edited by D. C. Desai) 27

READERS' LETTERBOX Dear Sir,—As a near-Vegan I feel it is unfortunate that Francis of Assissi's Feast Day should have been chosen as World Day for Animals, and that a picture of him now appears on the official R.S.P.C.A. Christmas card, for this gives the entirely false impression that from the Church to which the saint belonged has stemmed the humane way of life—quite the opposite of the truth. Indeed, it is on account of the official directive as to the correct treatment of the Lower Animals- as found in the Catholic Dictionary in an article under that name, that it has become necessary in " Christendom " to form societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals. We are told by the Jesuit writer that " it is lawful to put them " (the lesser creatures) " to death, or to inflict pain on them for any good or reasonable end, such as the promotion of man's knowledge, health, etc., or even for the purpose of recreation." As a result of this Cartesian but certainly not Jesuine advice, it has become necessary to found anti-vivisection societies, leagues against cruel sports and form vegetarian and vegan associations in order to prove to our moral misleaders that the eating of flesh is not essential to health. St. Francis sentimentally addressed the creatures as "Brother" bird and "Brother" beast, but had no compunction about consuming his adopted family, and surely cannibalism should not be canonized! We are told that he delivered long lectures to a wolf on the evil of its carnivorous ways. If the poor creature could have answered back, he would certainly have referred to the kettle that called the pot black. The anniversaries of vegetarian George Bernard Shaw, or of near-Vegan Mohandas Gandhi (also in October), would have been far more appropriate as World Day, especially that of the latter for he carried his policy of non-violence into every detail of his personal life. A carnivorous figure-head for this important day gives the impression that we may be kind to animals without ceasing to eat them—a sentimental inference which naturally appeals to the apathetic but does nothing to bring about the abolition of slaughter-houses. ESME WYNNE-TYSON. Dear Sir,—A packed meeting of the Fruitarian Discussion Group heard Dr. Lester Smith, the eminent British biochemist, give his views and answer questions on Vitamin B,3 at Caxton Hall, Westminster, on September 3rd, one of their "first Tuesday in the month meetings" which have grown in popularity over the past year. Many of those present who had been trying to take less and less dairy products because of the cruelties involved in present-day production were sorry to learn that there was no positive evidence that this vitamin is present in all comfrey, or other leaves, though it may occur in some according to 28

the soil. Dr. Smith, a vegetarian himself, was very sympathetic to vegan and fruitarian (living on the fruits of the earth) ideals,, but insisted that B.= was essential to bodily and mental health,, and was at present only known to exist in effective concentration in animal products, sewage, and certain seaweeds which were most unpalatable. As the body can store enough of this vitamin to last a decade it is not surprising that many people can dispense with all milk,, cheese and eggs for many years with no apparent trouble, but when their store has run out there is a probability of tingling, sensations in the extremities, followed by numbness and loss of control of the limbs; and mental aberrations leading to insanity.. These conditions can be rectified by concentrated doses of Bu in capsules such as cytacon (from most chemists) or injections in certain cases where assimilation is not good. These are harmlessly produced (as opposed to Desiccated Liver Tablets), but prevention is always better than cure. If no dairy produce is taken in the diet 2 cytacon a day with meals should supply all the B^ required. Dr. Smith explained the fact that a few people did appear to enjoy good health over a long period without Bi* by saying that the bacteria in the lower bowels of all people produced it (providing there was a trace of cobalt in their diet) but it was only a few exceptions who could assimilate it from there into their blood-stream. His study of this fascinating subject had shown that many people suffering from a serious deficiency of B.* in the blood were actually excreting large quantities because it was. produced too far down the bowel for assimilation through the wall! He also believed that the fact that animals and certain natives appeared not to need it was due to their drinking impure water contaminated with sewage of some kind. Those petowners who find their clean drinking bowls ignored in favour of the fish tank or other insanitary drinking place can now ascribe, it to instinctive dietetics! Many other mysteries were also given new meaning, such as the Chinese use of fouled birds' nests for soup, the healing powers of witch-doctors' insanitary concoctions,, etc. As far as Bi, is concerned certain products like Barmene are fortified with the synthetic vitamin. " Laver bread" sold in some fish-shops on the west coast is a likely (though not positive)seaweed source, but there is none in wheat-germ which contains, the other B vitamins, unless specifically added. Feeling that this up-to-date verdict of bio-chemic science on a very controversial topic deserved a wider audience I have done, my best to condense hours' talk into 10 minutes' reading, and hope Dr. Lester Smith will forgive me if I have over-simplified some of his points. With all his knowledge of the subject, he humbly admitted that there is still a lot of research to do on this, vitamin. My own conclusion was that wise pioneers, in the 2*

harmless diet would listen to his warnings and prevent a serious deficiency arising on the material plane, while at the same time pressing on in meditation and other yoga techniques (or their western counterparts), until the power of mind over matter enables us no longer to rely for good health on a microgram or so of a bi-product of a microscopic fungi! M . H . TALBOT. Dear Sir,—Some time during last night I became a non-smoker. For years I have known that my habit of smoking was a bad one, but try as I might, have been unable to break it. Instead my consumption of cigarettes was steadily rising in spite of my knowledge of the danger to general health. I had also read about the experiments on living animals to. ascertain how much damage can be done to the lungs by tobacco smoke, and the other ingredients of cigarettes. When I heard some doctors recently discussing the effects of smoking, and other things, on the B 1 2 content of the blood of vegetarians and vegans, I came away with the certainty that, bad as tobacco is for all, for vegans it can be very dangerous indeed, and if there are still any of our members addicted to this habit I feel bound to urge them to make the necessary effort to abandon it completely. Quite apart from the bad effects on their own health (we believe it may also damage the brain) is the contra effect produced on our lacto- and flesh-eating contemporaries. A below-par vegan does more harm to the vegan way of life than all the pro-meat arguments of our contemporaries. But last night it was different. I was not telling myself I should not smoke, I was not feeling the tight feeling which often follows a specially heavy day of smoking. I did lay wakeful in the night though—a most unusual thing for me—and then I saw the truth of the whole matter in all its aspects. Without making any effort, I was able to really appreciate, in that lonely hour, what it means in terrible suffering to those innocent creatures, who are used to prove, or disprove, the theories concerning tobacco smoke and lung cancer, etc. I seemed to see the frightened animals, in their little cages, having concentrated tobacco fumes pumped into their lungs until they show some ill effect. In that moment I knew I would never smoke again, as surely as I knew I would never again drink milk when I was brought face to face (through a car window) with a sickly cow. Her running, desperately pleading eyes, looking straight into mine at close range, forced me to face up to the facts surrounding the business of milk production, which, although I must have always known, I had hitherto succeeded in putting behind me. If I could live a healthy life without dairy products—a theory which has been amply proved—then I could enjoy even better health in the long run, if I discontinued this social habit which we all know—smokers and non-smokers alike—is dirty, untidy, expensive and detrimental to optimum health. B. E. 30

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT-OR KNOW? Knowledge, logically applied, is the only way to know. Until then it is nebulous, untried. Knowledge untried and knowledge applied is the difference between failure and success, between knowing about and knowing. Here are extracts from letters of " Thought Bricks " Students who learned to thought build their way to their own personal achievement:— (1) P.C.A.A. writes: " This time last year I had no hopes of ever moving into a place so nice as this. It just goes to show what thought building can do." . (2) M.C. : " I receive many blessings of abundant living and sleep now like a dormouse." (3) B.B. : "Am' thought building, and things are coming so fast it is almost unbelievable." (4) A.S. (Switzerland): "My turnover is about 10% higher than last year." (5) J.P. : " Nervous troubles and depressions have just disappeared, and many plans are materialising." (6) R.P. : " In January I renewed acquaintance with the Course. In March I was accepted as Headmaster of this school." (7) G.E.W.: "Abundance is truly mine and I am happy beyond compare." (8) B.R.: " Your teaching is all so logical and happy. I've been given a rise of £40." (9) t'.C. (Rev. Canon.) (Switzerland): " I find your teaching wonderfully practical." (10) E.N. (Australia)" Re. my exams., I passed with flying colours." (11) l.S.C. (Rev. Canon.) (Ceylon): "All the Lessons are illuminating. There has been an almost incredible improvement in my health." (12) W.R.S.: "Have had many little successes. The teachings I shall cherish all my life." (13) J.J.: " Wonders have happened since I last wrote." (14) J.C.M.: "Am now a happy man. I was tired with life, but feel much younger now. My salary is almost doubled!" (15) V.M.: " New avenues have opened, colleagues are co-operative. Sails are all set for a huge success." (16) H.R.: " I have stopped smoking completely." (17) A.T. : " I have had a wonderful year by the application of your teaching." (18) B.D. : "Now I never want for anything. Feel happy and content." (19) J.M. (U.S.A.): "Am doing fine, improved in health, better spiritually • and financially. I sure have enjoyed your lessons." (20) C.P. (Trinidad) : " Thanks for Lesson One. Business has improved, clients are more thoughtful." (21) L.E. (U.S.A.): " I still have that wonderful new-found 'something.' It's almost uncanny at times, the way things are working." There need be no doubt about the genuineness of any of these letterextracts. With the descriptive booklets sent you in response to your enquiry, a way is offered by which you may appoint any clergyman, priest or minister in your own district to investigate for you. Every one of the hundreds oi thousands of appreciative letters received at the Centre here has been sent spontaneously.' Send for descriptive booklets and a copy of our friendly, weekly magazine. (Enquiries are dealt with promptly and by post only.) Your packet of literature will be sent to you free and post free.

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WHY CONTINUE TO DRINK HIGHLY CHEMICALIZED TAP WATER? You can now so easily provide your family with delicious LIVE F O O D JUICES f r o m luscious fruits and vegetables. Typical additives in tap water include: — Sulphate of Alumina—Sodium Bicarbonate—Soda-Ash—Milk of Lime and now the threatened addition of S O D I U M F L U O R I D E (rat poison)! National press Report (July 1963) r e a d s : — D r the Council's Medical Officer, said. " If you knew all the things that are already put into your water, you would have a s h o c k . " F o r V I M . VIGOUR. VITALITY and L O N G L I F E go over to LIVE F O O D JUICES TO-DAY. FREE illustrated 1 brochure of this remarkable Automatic Juicer and Food Mixer. Send for yours at once. (Two b o o k s that we d o enthusiastically recommend, that will provide you with all you should 1 know about raw fruit and vegetable therapy are " T h e Miracle of Fresh R a w J u i c e s " by D . R . Hiatt. price 5 / 6 . and " L i v e Food J u i c e s " by H . E. Kirschner, M . D . , price 17/6. W e are sending out these and the latest editions of other well-known Health Books, post paid, for the benefit of our consumers.)

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