The Vegan Spring 1962 by The Vegan Society

THE VEGAN SOCIETY Founded November, 1944

Veganism is the practice of living on the products of the plant kingdom— to the exclusion of all animal foods—proceeding from a wide consideration of man's true place in nature. The objects of the Vegan Society are to provide in thought and practice for the advance of veganism, and to relate veganism to every aspect of creative co-operation between man and nature. President : Mrs. E. B. SHRIGLEY, Deputy-President: Mr. JACK SANDER ON Essex. Vice-Presidents : Dr. FREY ELLIS, Dr. CATHERINE NIMMO, SEMPLE. Honorary Secretary : Mrs. EVA BAIT, Honorary Treasurer : Miss WINIFRED N . W . I 1. Committee : Mrs. SERENA COLES, The LADY DOWDING, DRAKE, Dr. FREY ELLIS, Mr. MAJRTIN MCCULLOCH, SIMMONS, Mrs. DOROTHY THOMSON, M r s . CON T Vegan Distribution Secretary : Mrs. S. COLES, Purley, Surrey. Commodities Investigator: Mrs. CONSTANCE WHITE, Road, London, W.2.

Surrey. , Upminster, Mr. DUGALD Middlesex. , London, Mrs. MURIEL Miss MABEL ,

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, £10 10s. Od.

THE VEGAN JOURNAL OF THE VEGAN SOCIETY Editor : Mr. JACK SANDERSON, , Upminster, Essex. Advertisements : H. H. GREAVES LTD., ship Lane. London, S.E.22. Published quarterly : Annual subscription, 7s. post free; single copies, Is. 9d. post free. Obtainable from the Hon. Secretary.

LITERATURE

" Declaration and Rules of the Vegan Society." 2 page leaflet. Free. "The Reasons for Veganism." 4 page leaflet. Free. " Vegan Protein Nutrition." 12 page leaflet. Is. " A Handbook of Practical Veganism." 24 pages with cover. Obtainable from the Hon. Secretary. Postage extra. 2s. 6d.

THE V E G A N Journal of the Vegan Society

Vol. XII

Spring, 1962

No. 7

EDITORIAL As we approach Easter, many of us will ponder anew the Christian story of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, and the events that led to the former and those that followed the latter. And many of us will hear of the seed that has lain dormant and the new life that begins with the spring. And many sermons will be preached linking the two themes. But there is another theme—and few sermons are likely to be preached on this. This theme is very well expressed in the following poem by Mary A. Hurd: — I went to church to pray and sing, But could not pray at all Because a lady wore a fur. ('Twas strange a thing so small Could so disturb me that I saw Instead of choir and priest, A hunted brother of the woods— A little, frightened beast). I could not eat the sacred bread, I could not taste the wine For the tired eyes of a hunted fox Were gazing into mine. I went to church to find the Lord, But found this truth instead: Christ cannot break with those who kill The consecrated bread. He cannot drink with those who maim The sacramental wine ; For all His friends love is the law And kindness is the sign.

I could not touch the sacred bread, I could not drink the wine, For the tortured eyes of the Crucified Were gazing into mine. Nearly six years ago at the Friend to Animals Exhibition held in London the following figures were given of the annual slaughter carried out to supply the needs of man, and by now, no doubt, many of these figures will have risen: â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 200 million cattle. 200 million Pigs. 400 million sheep. 2,000 million poultry. 1,000 million other birds. 1,000 million rabbits. 10,000 million fishes. 200 million animals for furs and skins. 20 million animals for vivisection. 1 million animals for " sport." In this country alone there are over 150 recognised packs of foxhounds who hunt regularly, but the suffering that they and other hunters cause (though real enough to the creatures concerned) pales into insignificance compared with the daily, nay hourly, and continuous toll caused by men's stomachs, particularly amongst the more " civilised " peoples of the world. Almost daily we read or hear of new cruelties and new ways which men find of exploiting their younger brothers in evolution. But, for many of us, a sore finger gives us more concern than the millions of innocent creatures dying in terror or living in agony at the hand of man every day of our lives. We must think seriously and feel deeply on our stewardship of the three kingdoms: the animal, the vegetable and the mineral â&#x20AC;&#x201D;and especially the animal, for there there is so much pain and cruelty which need not be. As pointed out in a recent editorial in Avalon, " T h e meateating opponent of vivisection, the lacto-vegetarian, the vegan who wears leather shoes are all inconsistentâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but they have seen and chosen a right course and taken some steps along it, and they urge others to join them, knowing that the more who set out on the journey, the further will each individual be able to progress towards full consistency. Meanwhile, cruelty is worse than inconsistency; it is better to be inconsistently compassionate than consistently cruel." The hope that is inseparable from Easter may turn our thoughts momentarily from the cruelty in men to the kindness that is also in those same men, perhaps as yet hardly visible but there nevertheless, latent as a seed that is destined to grow. We can look to those who, like Dr. Lillie and the late Dr. Beddow Bailey, give their lives wholly and actively to the 2

cause ; to the many societies like the Crusade, the Anti-Vivisection, the Beauty Without Cruelty and many others whose work is changing men's minds. We can give thanks that so many are working to save animals that are being hunted to extinction and that places like El Cabo, in Costa Rica, have been saved (we hear via Mrs. Stella Lief) as a sanctuary. We can give thanks that recently at the North Shields Fish Market, where a boat sailed in with a live porpoise amongst its catch, that men gathered around, made a collection to give its value to the fishermen concerned and then threw it back into the sea. As it headed out to sea, the cheer that arose was a tribute to its own endurance and to the charity of man. Even though at times we feel powerless and like a cork in an angry sea, let us not forget that all the true forces of good are with us, and let us obey and follow the spirit which prompts us and would lead us on. Lord of all growing things, By such sweet, secret influences as those That draw the scilla through the melting snows, And bid the fledgling bird trust untried wings, When quick my spirit grows, Help me to trust my wings. I. SANDERSON. VEGAN MEETINGS (Open to members and interested friends) April On Tuesday, April 3rd, at 6.4 of Mrs. Constance White (BAY 7057), Road, London, W.2, an illustrated talk F. Ellis on blood formation, the title being " The Living Stream." (On leaving the Royal Oak Tube Station, turn left, then second right.) On Saturday, April 7th, at 6.30 p.m., at the London Vegetarian Society headquarters at 53, Marloes Road, London, W.8, Mr. Georges Ohsawa, of Tokyo, will address a meeting on " Macrobiotics and the Oriental Medical Philosophy." (Admission free—silver collection.) (Tube or bus to Kensington High Street, then down the side of Pontings—Wrights Lane—right, then left.) May On Saturday, May 19th, at ecital of various characterisations at the Arts Theatre, London.) 2/6d. inclusive of refreshments. (Cornwall Gardens is second left up Gloucester Road, from Cromwell Road, and is near to Gloucester Road Tube Station on the following bus routes: 9, 49, 52, 73 and 74.) 3

June On Saturday, June 2nd, at 2 of Mrs. Serena Coles (UPLands 7518) at Purley, Surrey, a Garden Party (indoor elcome. (Train from Victoria to Riddlesdown .Station, then turn left. From Purley, leave by platform 6 and turn left into Warren Road.) October ance Notice. On Saturday October 20th, at London, W.8, the Annual General Meeting of y. (For details see the Summer Vegan.) VEGAN COMMITTEE MEETINGS Provisional dates for Vegan Committee Meetings have been arranged for Friday, April 13th, Thursday, May 3rd, Friday, June 8th, and Thursday, July 5th. VISIT OF MR. G. OHSAWA We are very pleased to announce that Mr. Georges Ohsawa, dietitian, Doctor of Philosophy and author of several books on health, diet and philosophy, has agreed to speak to us during his very limited stay in this country. Mr. Ohsawa is well known in Germany, France, America, Switzerland and Sweden, where he will stay for five days at his Clinic in Stockholm, before continuing his tour of the Continent, followed by lectures in America. While working in Dr. Schweitzer's hospital, Mr. Ohsawa " invited " incurable diseases and suffered the consequences for a time. He believes that there are no really " incurable " complaints, and that as our blood is replaced every ten days, it is possible, by following his simple teaching of macrobiotics, to cure even such diseases as asthma, epilepsy, paralysis and diabetes. Mr. Ohsawa has been lecturing for the past seven years on this Far Eastern Philosophy and the value of his cereal diet. For a condensation of one of his books, " Zen Macrobiotics," published by the Ohsawa Foundation of New York-Paris-BrusselsTokyo, see the February issue of Here's Health. Macrobiotics is the biological and physiological application of Oriental Philosophy and Medicine. It restores health and harmony of mind, soul and sody, which are essential for joyful living, says Mr. Ohsawa. While we may not all be able to follow this doctrine in every detail, we feel sure that everyone interested in good health, peace and happiness will greatly appreciate this opportunity to learn more of a philosophy and way of life which has brought fresh hope to many. 4

this opportunity of hearing him speak at London, W.8, on April 7th at 6.45. (See er " Future Meetings" elsewhere.) All are welcome, so bring as many friends as you can. Remember the date and try to be there.

OUR PRESIDENT [At my request Mrs. Shrigley has contributed the following notes to accompany her photograph.â&#x20AC;&#x201D;EDITOR.] I have been in the Vegan Society since its beginning, and I thought it would be best to give my impressions of those 18 years. But the Editor said that I must include something about myself. It will suffice to say that my parents were Scandinavianâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; my mother Swedish and my father Danish. I missed the visits

to aunts, uncles and grandparents that my friends enjoyed, but my relations gave us a wonderful time when we went to Denmark for a holiday. I had an international upbringing, for which I am very grateful. All nationalities came to our house, and I can remember 12 nationalities seated round our table for a meal—it may be the reason why I enjoy International Vegetarian Congresses so much. I have taught gymnastics, health and beauty, and dancing, and, on obtaining the L.R.A.M. Diploma, I taught music and lectured until my marriage. I became a lacto-vegetarian in 1934 and a vegan in April, 1944. The first meeting of 8 non-dairy vegetarians to choose a name and found the Society was in November, 1944, at the Attic Club in Holborn. It was a Sunday, with sunshine and blue sky, an auspicious day for the birth of an idealistic movement. From a long list of suggestions the word Vegan was chosen. This name is now known all over the world. It has appeared in medical, scientific and other journals, in the daily press, and on the B.B.C. As I look back over the last 18 years I see a kaleidoscope of all the officers, committee members and other members who have worked so enthusiastically for the Society, and we are very fortunate to have some of the pioneers still with us. All have contributed towards the emergence of The Vegan Society from a small band of enthusiasts to the stable Society of today—a Society based on the scientific knowledge that all can be healthy on a balanced vegan diet. We can look forward with confidence and enthusiasm to 1965, when the Society will come of age! ELSIE B. SHRIGLEY. NOTICE—BEARS BEWARE! We want to warn you that certain humans in this park have been passing the biscuits and soda pop to some of your brothers. Keep your self-respect—avoid them. Don't be pauperized like your uncles were last year. You remember what happened to those panhandlers, don't you ? Do you want gout, an unbalanced diet, vitamin deficiencies, or gas on the stomach ? Beware of " ersatz " foodstuffs—accept only natural foods and hunt these yourself. These visitors mean well but they will ignore the signs. If they come too close, read this notice to them. They'll catch on after a while. IF YOU C A N T READ, ASK THE BEAR AT THE NEXT INTERSECTION. (This sign in Yosemite National Park warns bears to be wary of humans.) 6

CRESTA AT MY CROSSROADS B y GEOFFREY MOLINEUX

[This article appeared in a recent issue of With Sword and Shield, and we are happy to reprint it under our exchange scheme. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;EDITOR.]

I am writing this as a farmer's son who, during the last two years, has at last had his eyes opened to what really goes on in the production of meat, milk, eggs, etc., for human consumption. I was born on a farm and, except for the time spent at boarding school, I have always lived on a farm. It never occurred to me that the way in which animals were treated was at times very cruel. I grew up with these things, and I do not suppose that I ever thought about it. I just took it for granted that such things were done. As a little boy I liked to watch the ducks and cockerels being killed at Christmas-time. They were hung upside down from a nail in the wall by a piece of string looped round their legs, and then their throats were cut and they were just left to bleed to death. A horrible cruel way of doing it, when a swiftly broken neck would have achieved the same end, with little or no suffering. On looking back now I am amazed that normal so-called decent people could be so cruel to defenceless creatures. I also used to help with the loading into trucks of the fat bullocks and pigs, beating away with my stick at any animal that came near me. Everyone else did it, so why should not I? It was not until many years later that I discovered what went on after the poor animals left the farm. The driving from lorry to pen, into the sale ring, back to the pen, into another lorry and so on, all accompanied by shouting and beating, until they finally met their end in the slaughter house. Occasionally there are reports in the papers of cows or bullocks running wild at markets or on the way to a slaughter house, and, having seen what goes on, I am very surprised that there are not more. I did not have much to do with the castration of pigs and calves or the ear-punching of the calves until I had left school. I did not like it, but everybody said that it had to be done, so that was that. Later on I kept pigs of my own and held the piglets while they were castrated. I liked it even less then, but did not know what else I could do about it. Also at about this time I was given a shot gun and started to go out with the shooting parties held on the farm every year. At first I enjoyed it, but then the thought of the birds that were hit but managed to fly away, and the hares left with one leg splintered by shot, started to worry me, and gradually I took my gun out less and less. And then other thoughts kept coming into my mind. What 7

right had we to treat animals as we did? Was it right for cows to be artificially inseminated, to have their calves taken away at four days old? What right had we to castrate the male animals, to caponize cockerels, put hens in battery cages or chicks in broiler houses, and so on and so on. I started to think and to read books on the subject and tried to look at the whole question from an unbiased point, of view. My mind was finally made up for me by a goat called Cresta. She was due to kid shortly and I was faced with the prospect of having to kill the kids if they happened to be males. I did not like the idea one little bit. I worried about it until my mind seemed to be going round and round in circles, and then suddenly one day everything became clear and all my questions were answered. So here today is one farmer's son who is trying to live a better life and to do everything in his power to stop animals being illtreated and exploited, and to make the world a better, happier place for them to live in. [Editor's note: This is the first time that Geoffrey Molineux has felt impressed to write about his conversion to the humane lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a conversion so complete that he has been a vegan for some time, as have his young family. He has recently emigrated to Australia, and hopes to practise many of his ideas there.] " When men are more civilized they will forbid, without anaesthetics, the intensely painful operations performed on millions of young animals, with nervous systems, fully developed, young horses, lambs, pigs, calves. All the suffering of vivisection, fur trapping, bull fighting are as nothing compared with the suffering inflicted upon the young animals in the course of commercial stock raising."â&#x20AC;&#x201D;ARTHUR BRISBANE. A COW M O U R N I N G FOR HER

CALF

Oft at some consecrated altar-side, Where fragrant incense burns, a calf lies slain, And from his breast breathes out the warm life-tide: But the lone mother, o'er the grassy land Far ranging, sees his cloven hoof-prints plain, And leaves with roving eyes no spot unscanned For her lost young, and fills with lowings wild The shady wood ; then tireless turns again To the bare stall, sore stricken for her child. Naught can the dewy grass, or tender leaf, Or brimming river-bank, once fondly known, Avail to banish that o'er mastering grief; Nor by the sight of other calves, upgrown In the fair fields, is her sad heart beguiled ; So deeply yearns she for her one, her own. LUCRETIUS (a Roman Poet, 55 B.C.)

SOME FIRED AND UNFIRED RECIPES By MABEL SIMMONS Lentil Cream Soup j lb. lentils. 2 oz. margarine. 1 large onion. 2 pt. water. 1 carrot. 1 bay leaf. 1 potato. Celery salt. Cut the carrot and onion up finely, braise in margarine, add water, potato cut in cubes, lentils, bay leaf, celery salt; simmer, and when cooked press through sieve, re-boil, adjust seasoning. Garnish with chopped watercress and crofltons of toast. Casserole of Vegetables 2 onions. 1 large tomato. 2 carrots. 1 oz. margarine. 4 potatoes. Seasoning. 1 turnip. Slice all vegetables and place them in a casserole, with seasoning, and cook in oven. When cooked, place squares of wholemeal pastry on top ; bake until golden brown. Steamed Date and Lemon Pudding 4 oz. wholemeal flour. 1 lemon rind grated. 4, oz. bread crumbs. 4 oz. nutter. 4 oz. dates. 1 teacupful of lemon juice 2 oz. Barbados sugar. and water mixed. Rub fat into flour, add chopped dates and all other ingredients. Mix well. Pour over sufficient lemon juice and water to make into a stiff dough. Grease pudding basin, put mixture in, cover with greaseproof paper and steam hours. Serve with lemon or orange sauce. Orange and Banana Jelly 2 oranges. 1 oz. Barbados sugar. 2 large bananas. £ pt. water. £ oz. agar (or teaspoonful). Peel rind of oranges, simmer in £ pt. water, strain juice of one orange, add to water from peel, sprinkle in agar, bring to the boil, simmer 3 minutes. Line a glass dish with alternate layers of sliced bananas and oranges ; when the jelly is cool, pour over bananas and oranges. Decorate with chopped nuts and serve with nut cream. 9

Lemon Biscuits £ lb. flour. lb. sugar. £ lb. nutter or margarine. Grated lemon rind. Cream fat and sugar, add grated lemon rind, sift in flour, work to a stiff dough. Roll out, cut in round, cook 15 min. Reg. 5. Carrot Drink ± lb. carrots. \ yd. coarse muslin. Grate carrots on fine grater. Place muslin over a basin, put grated carrot on muslin and squeeze hard into basin. Pour juice into glass. Hazelnut Balls \ lb. milled hazelnuts. 1 dessertspoonful chopped 2 oz. wholemeal crumbs. parsley. Juice of small onion. Celery salt. 2 tomatoes. Mix nuts, crumbs, and seasoning together. Chop up tomatoes, grate onion over tomatoes, and pour over nuts and crumbs. Mix well. Form into balls, roll in milled nuts. Lettuce, Beetroot and Horse-radish Salad Line dish with lettuce leaves, cut beetroot into thin slices, and place on lettuce. Grate horse-radish finely and place in centre of dish. Sprinkle chopped parsely over. Serve with lemon and olive oil dressing. Date and Orange Fingers £ lb. dates. 1 oz. coconut. 1 large apple. 1 oz. milled nuts. 1 orange. Wash dates, and mash with fork. Add apple grated coarsely, orange rind grated finely, lastly coconut. Mix well together. Roll mixture into fingers, cover with milled nuts. Lemon, Barley and Nut Cream Drink 1 oz. pearl barley. 1 oz. cane sugar. 1 pt. water. 2 tablespoonsful nut Rind of £ lemon. cream. Place washed barley in double saucepan. Add water, lemon rind and sugar. Cook for \ hour. Strain and set aside to cool, then add nut cream. Stir well. All enquiries about recipes should be se Simmons (Teacher of Vegetarian Cookery), London, N.W.ll.

ANTIBIOTICS (The following article appeared in a Dutch newspaper in 1961 and has been translated by one of our members, Mr. H. S. Kramer.) Antibiotics lower the Resistance of Modern Man Is it possible that the enormous increase in some contagious illnesses is a consequence of the discovering of continually improved medicines? This question is at present occupying the minds of many experts in a great many countries. In our country too (Holland) the great increase in the number of contagious diseases has led to further investigation. Before 1959, every year there were about twelve to thirteen thousand cases of contagious disease reported (compulsorily). But in 1959 and 1960 these figures were doubled. The increase was principally due to divers salmonelloses, to dysentery and to contagious jaundice. In 1958, 4,900 cases of paratyphus B, other salmonelloses and dysentery (generally diagnosed at first as abdominal influenza) were compulsorily reported in Holland. In the warm and dry year of 1959 this number had risen to 12,000. In foreign countries where the same phenomenon arose the cause was ascribed to the use of antibiotics in cattle fodder that was often said to be already contaminated. In the Netherlands, too, investigations point in that direction. We are considering more severe control of imported cattle fodder. By the use of antibiotics and hormone preparations in cattle fodder, farmers hope'to prevent disease among their cattle and to promote faster growth. Only " small additions " up to twenty grams per 100 kilogram of cattle fodder are concerned here. But how far these " small additions" have already gone appeared in a recent examination in America. There the " small additions " have already been deemed indispensable for the production on an industrial scale of chickens, beef and pork meat for the super-markets. One such wholesale trader has as large a production as 500 " normal " American farms and sometimes delivers 100,000 animals per year. It is estimated that American stockbreeders yearly buy 250 million dollars' worth of modern medicines, and in ten years an amount of 1,000 million dollars is expected. With a recent annual selling market value of American livestock of at least fifteen thousand million dollars, two thousand million dollars' worth were lost as a consequence of divers diseases. Antibiotics and similar products have already lessened these losses in a considerable way. In our country, one out of four pigs dies before it is ripe for slaughtering. Farmers mostly administer small additions via the fodder, but also injection 11

syringes are used, pills are given or the drinking water given a dose from the medicine bottle. It is said that in the United States in 1960 about 35 million dollars' worth of vitamins, thirty million dollars' worth of antibiotics and fifteen million dollars' worth of coccidiostatics were administered via the fodder to the cattle in addition to nine million dollars' worth of ureum, six million dollars' worth of minerals, six million dollars' worth of anti-worm medicines, five million dollars' worth of hormones and five million dollars' worth of amino-acids. As regards the antibiotics, it was quoted from an article by Mr. Clintock in Feedstuff s that 73% consisted of aureo- and terramycine, 10% of penicillin and nearly 7% each of penicillinstreptomycine combinations and bace-Aracine. Stronger Bacteria About the consequences of these small additions for man, little has been ascertained as yet, though everywhere the alarm has already been raised and many countries have already legally arranged the maximum allowable percentage. However, it is definitely established that of the bacteria which are combatted in this way, after a lapse of time stronger stocks remain, which are' not destroyed by the small additions. These bacteria, which are able to maintain themselves, are more dangerous to man. With the small additions they apparently become dead, and at the inspection of butcher's meat they are very difficult to discover. Even worse is the fact that man runs the risk of receiving into his body via the flesh-meat so many still effective antibiotics that later on he does not react to them, if they are administered on behalf of his own health. As has already been said, in many countries laws have already been enacted for the protection of man. In Germany especiallyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;strongly stimulated by some sensational pressâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;there was uneasiness about the new American methods. In France it was forbidden to mix more than twenty grams of aureomycine, terramycine or penicillin with a hundred kilogram of cattle fodder. The anti-coccidose furoxon may only be used there in mash for fowl younger than eleven weeks, and information about the therapeutic action of it is forbidden, though for all small additions the percentage must be stated on the label of the packages of mash. Nicarbazine is allowed in France in the mash of laying hens. In our country, the use of small additions has been opposed from the very beginning by the warnings of Dr. J. Gaashuis, director of a firm which occupies itself with researches in the realm of the feeding of cattle. Also official Holland was, and is, on its guard, and already in 1952 it was forbidden for manufacturers and dealers of cattle fodder to mix hormone preparations, antibiotics or medicinal preparations with the fodder or even to have them in stock. An antibiotic is defined as a chemical 12

combination derived from or produced by living organisms, which is able in weak concentrations to stunt the life processes of micro-organisms, as well as a synthetically manufactured chemical combination of the same kind, provided one or the other be fit for oral use. But the development went on ; the Dutch fattener had to compete with foreign countries, and from many sides antibiotics and other preparations were urged upon him. But the strange fact is that, though the mash manufacturers are forbidden to mix the new preparations with the fodder, the farmers are allowed to do so, and there is not the slightest control of it. In order to prevent misunderstandings, dispensation from the prohibition to mix antibiotics with the fodder has been granted to a good number of mash manufacturers, but with the condition that no more than 10 gfams per 100 kilogram fodder may be added. With this arrangement we remain far below the granted maxima abroad. Hormone preparations remain a forbidden realm to the mash manufacturer. Pill in Neck Forbidden In Germany, where we export an enormous number of slaughtered fowl, there was uneasiness about the use of so-called penicillin pills by the fatteners of chickens. They performed a slight operation in the neck of the chicken and put a pill into it with oestrogenic or thyreostatic effect (i.e., containing hormones which promoted the growth and materials which impeded the normal functioning of the thyroid gland). If a German lady should consume too many of these hens she ran the risk of beardgrowth because of still effective hormones. In this case an instance here intervened, and by a regulation (of September 19th, 1960) any administration of preparations with oestrogenic or thyreostatic effect was forbidden, unless on a prescription with therapeutic aims issued by a veterinary surgeon. In the meantime, the evil had outlived itself, as the pill had appeared to be more expensive than the reduction in the cost of the mash. Fishmeal often Contaminated Of quite a different kind is the danger that may be caused by imported cattle fodder. To mention especially fishmeal, which contains much protein, is very cheap and which is taken in everincreasing quantities into our part of the world from South America and Middle Africa. There, the manufacture of fishmeal has been placed on an industrial basis, with large catching vessels and enormous drying installations. Unfortunately, this meal is often contaminated with salmonella bacteria, which cause all kinds of contagious bowel complaints. 13

The warmer the climate, the greater the risk of contagion. Fishmeal is mixed with grains and fed especially to pigs, and an examination on some pig fatteners brought to light an alarmingly high percentage of pigs contaminated with salmonella. If all the flesh-meat for use were properly cooked (which is not the case), the consequences to our health would be less serious. But now it is said that the number of contagious diseases (indicated with the collective noun " other salmonelloses ") has risen to nearly seven thousand. Also, here, radical measures have been taken. Lately, Dr. Grashuis forbade more than a certain percentage of fishmeal to be mixed in the fodder of pigs. Imported cargoes of fishmeal in any form are severely examined. If three successive cargoes of the same fishmeal factory are free from salmonella, facilities are allowed. But very severe regulations are still being applied and samples regularly taken. It often occurs that cargoes of fodder grains are contaminated by the fact that the vessel had transported fishmeal before. If bacteria are found, the goods are put on the so-called black list and must be sterilized. As this protection has not appeared to be sufficient, some urge the obligatory sterilization of all imported cattle fodder at the port of arrival. Against such a measure there are, however, many objections of a practical kind. It is simply impossible to store on the quay of the port of Rotterdam the 170,000 tons of fish- and animal meal which is yearly imported. The authorities of the port do not allow the meal to be stored in the warehouses. If all this meal were to be temporarily stored under tarpaulins on the quay, there would be a great risk that bad cargoes would contaminate the good. This arrangement would be expensive and of little avail, and a better solution is being considered. For Tuck-Money Antibiotics " May I have bacetracine for sixpence? And nicarbazine for twopence? " The little farmer's son in Holland is not yet allowed to do such shopping at the village chemist's But things are tending that way. On a continually larger scale the farmers are going to apply modern medicines to their trade. Presumably, the new law on the sale of medicines will offer more protection against an inexpert and too frequent use of antibiotics, penicillin and hormone preparations. The farmers consider these as a kind of snuff-powder with miraculous effect, such as quacks formerly took to market on pleasure fairs. [The above article is self-explanatory, so that I do not intend to add very much. It is quite clear that we vegans are disgusted at the methods described. (Continued on page 19) 14

COMMODITY AND OTHER NEWS B y EVA BATT

A member in America has sent us a sample of El Molino Carob. This is described as "A Natural Food Bar containing carob powder (sometimes called St. John's Bread), dark brown sugar, vegetable oil, soya, soya lecithin, and vanilla." It looks and tastes like a pleasantly-flavoured chocolate bar. We hope this may soon be generally available here. Some very good news. It is with very much pleasure that we bring news of a price reduction. The pleasantly-perfumed toilet soap from Vegecos called " Innocence " will, from March 1st, be reduced to Is. 5d. per tablet, and 2s. 9d. for the bath size. We hope this will bring it within the means of all, and that our members will try this truly vegan and highly recommended toilet soap. If it is not yet in your local shops, send to Healthiways (see advertisement elsewhere in this Journal) or direct to: Messrs. Vegecos Beauty Products, London House, Great Square, Braintree, Essex. Several members have written to say that they have been unable to get the Dunlop Looped Nylon Footwear mentioned in our last issue. We suggest you write direct to: Mr. C. B. Lupton, Advertising and Marketing Manager, Dunlop Footwear Ltd., Walton, Liverpool, for your nearest stockist and details. Or you can now order through the post from Mrs. Drake, of Healthiways. We can assure our readers that the material really does " breathe," and we feel that all animal lovers would be well advised to give their support to Messrs. Dunlop by asking for these shoes in their own stores ; it is the only way to get them into the shops. We should also be grateful if anyone already using these shoes would be good enough to report to this office or to Dunlop as to their satisfaction. In this way, they will be helping us all to get better and more varied vegan footwear into every shop eventually. The Holle Baby Food Co. Ltd., Granary House, Burton-onTrent, Staffs., is an offspring of the Holle Nahrmittel K.G., of Switzerland, which has been specialising in baby foods with great success for over thirty years. Send for the free booklet " More About Holle Baby Foods" and special order forms. Small trial sizes are available, also cream of barley, cream of oats, and millet flakes. Not exclusively for babies of course, these all make excellent porridge, puddings, etc. Nutritionally, these cold-rolled flakes are rich in silicates and fluorides, and make for good formation of sound teeth and healthy hair and skin. Nourishing and sustaining cereals for all ages. May be ordered from Boots Chemist if no local stockist, or direct from The Holle Baby Food Company. 15

A special strain of compost-grown Sunflower Seeds can be supplied by Rayner and Pennycook Ltd., 16 Oatlands Chase, Weybridge, Surrey. These can be sprouted by pouring hot water on a cloth, covering with the seeds, and putting on another cloth to exclude the light. Also " Rayvit " Seaweed Tablets, " Rayvit " Rosehip Powder and Rosehip Tablets. (The Rosehip Toffee contains honey.) Vitamin " D " in Sunflower Seed Oil. Comfrey Tablets (contain Vitamin B ). Especially recommended: Rayvit Savoury Spread. This contains Yeast, Comfrey, and Seaweed. Used sparingly, it makes an excellent sandwich spread. Rayvit Linomel and Carob Flour (it has a chocolate flavour) have already been mentioned in earlier issues of The Vegan. 12

NEW VEGAN FOODS A new range of organically-grown cereal products imported from Belgium by Trustin Foods Ltd. greatly increases the scope of Vegan foods and cookery. The products are known as " LIMA" cereal foods and include Buckwheat, Millet, Wheat, and Rice, in various forms: whole or freshly flaked as " Pasta " or macaroni. Also available are Belgian Pumpkin, Mebosi (special dried plums with Sea Salt), as well as several cereal beverages, and high-protein sauces and natural flavourings. Of particular importance to Vegans will be Kokkoh: this is nothing at all to do with " cocoa " (the word is oriental), but is the first available cereal milk. Details of " LIMA" products arrived too late for publication in this issue, but a full report will be given in our next issue. Any member wanting further details now should write to TRUSTIN FOODS LTD., Station Road, Winchmore Hill, London, N.21. If you would like a free 16-page recipe leaflet, please send a 3d. stamp for postage to Trustin Foods Ltd. A MESSAGE TO INDIA To our many friends in India who wish to join this Society : " Bill due from (Name) of (Address) towards subscription to Vegan Society for 1962 ; 15s. only." Take this form of Documentary Evidence of your support to your Bank, where they arrange for you to receive the necessary Foreign Exchange (Sterling). We shall then be happy to send you a form each December for renewal. 16

Reprints of The Vegan article " The Pinta Problem," which appeared in the October issue of World Forum, are now available from the Secretary (Mrs. Battj on receipt of s.a.e. THE VEGAN LIBRARY Many members have kindly sent books on various subjects for inclusion in our library, and these are now being sorted and catalogued. Lists will appear in the Journal from time to time beginning with the Summer Number. NEWS AND COMMENT Coypu. In 1927, the coypu was introduced into this country from South America for its fur (nutria). Some escaped. They have now " got out of hand " and shoots are being organised. Vegan Badge. In answer to many requests from members, the Vegan Committee has discussed the question of a distinctive badge for vegans, and, after considering various designs, has finally approved an excellent one modelled on part of our cover design (a suggestion of our President). For details and prices write to our Hon. Secretary. The Vegetarian Handbook, 1962—64. We are pleased to announce a fourth edition of this excellent handbook, which should be in the hands of every vegetarian and vegan. Its 100 pages are packed with information—otherwise often hard to find—on Hotels and Guest Houses, Restaurants, local Vegetarian Societies, Boarding Schools, Health Food Stores, Nursing Homes, Nature Cure Homes and Clinics, etc. General information is given on facilities of many kinds available to vegetarians in this country. In addition, a whole section is devoted to overseas, listing National Societies, Hotels, Guest Houses and Restaurants. The Food Hints pages in this section have been extended to include comparative lists of foods in French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Swedish and Esperanto. Published by the London Vegetarian Society, 53, Marloes Road, London, W.8, and very good value at 2s. (plus 4d. postage). Direct from the L.V.S. or from our own Hon. Secretary. Food Guide. If you have not sent in your favourite vegan recipes to Mrs. Batt yet, please do so without delay. You may be interested to know that the Vegetarian Societies are soon to publish a Vegetarian Food Guide which will contain many vegan recipes. Nottingham. Vegans within reach of Nottingham may be interested in the meetings to be held there on May 5th, 6th and 7th by the Vegetarian Society. (For details write to them at Bank Square, Wilmslow, Cheshire). J.S. Errata.—In the Winter 1961 issue, page 14, under Music, the name Ian Lough should have read Ian le Grice. 17

SMALLPOX This subject is much in the news, and some of our readers may find the following from the B.U.A.V. of interest. DOES VACCINATION PREVENT SMALLPOX?

Most doctors think it does, but most doctors have never studied the question apart from learning how to give the vaccination, and they know next to nothing about it. Note the following points: — No doctor will give a guarantee that vaccination will do no harm. In the 21 years ended December, 1958, 91 children died as a result of being vaccinated, but only 2 died from smallpox itself despite the fact that most children are not vaccinated. In all the years it has been in use, there has never been any proof that vaccination prevents smallpox. The vaccine is produced from multiple infected sores on the bodies of sheep (an unpleasant and painful process). There is no satisfactory theoretical reason why it should prevent smallpox. The few small outbreaks of smallpox that have occurred in Britain in recent years have all been started by a fully-vaccinated person entering the country from abroad, and the disease has attacked both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. For further information on this subject write to the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, 47, Whitehall, London, S.W.I.

SONG OF PEACE " We are the living graves of murdered beasts, Slaughtered to satisfy our appetites, We never pause to wonder at our feasts, If animals, like men, can possibly have rights. We pray on Sundays that we may have light, To guide our foot-steps on the paths we tread. We're sick of war, we do not want to fight, The thought of it now fills our hearts with dread, And yet we gorge ourselves upon the dead. Like carrion crows, we live and feed on meat, Regardless of the suffering and pain We cause by doing so. If thus we treat Defenceless animals for sport or gain, How can we hope in this world to attain The PEACE we say we are so anxious for ? We pray for it, o'er hecatombs of slain, To God, while outraging the moral law, Thus cruelty begets its offspring—War." —George Bernard Shaw.

Continued from page 14. The advocates think they are on the right way, but we clearly realise the great risk they occur, apart from the serious ethical objections we have. The only thing we can do is to propagate as much as possible our principles and system on behalf of man and animal. H. S. KRAMER, The Hague, Holland.]

UPON THE WORD " DOMINION " Teach us the strength that cannot seek By deed or thought to hurt the weak. Rudyard Kipling. B y DOROTHY THOMSON

John Locke wrote his essay concerning the Human Understanding, after spending an evening in philosophic discourse with one or two friends. He found that they could not get to the essence of their ideas because of their different application and understanding of words. He realised what clumsy inadequate symbols they were to express the ideas behind them, and the trouble that could emerge from their wrong application, and so he wrote his essay as a contribution towards human understanding. Herbert Spencer stressed this same truth in his book " The First Principles," in which he wrote of the relativity of words and their interdependence upon other words for their existence. When we deal with ancient truths clothed in words how much more difficult it becomes, and often the ideas behind them, through wrong interpretation, become debased beyond belief. It is upon this particular theme that I would like to write. For there is one word that has been given to man from the Old Testament which I believe has been misapplied and grossly misunderstood down the ages, obscuring truth and retarding the evolution of the world. This word is DOMINION. Tomes could be written upon the evil it has perpetrated and will continue to do so unless we interpret it in its spiritual sense. The Scriptures say, " And man was given Dominion over all the creatures of the earth." I believe the misunderstanding of this word has been the source of all the suffering inflicted upon the poor dumb creatures from antiquity, and rising consequently to Man himself. Let us examine the word DOMINION and try to discover what it really means. Is it " To be the Over Lord, to be godlike, above another," and do we accept this dominion on a spiritual, mental or physical level ? Let us first consider it in its purer and more spiritual meaning. The parent who has grown beyond the child in physical strength 19

uses his dominion over the child to protect, love and guide it into adult life. To have dominion over living things is to have a sacred trust, and each one of us is responsible to life how we fulfil that trust whether for selfish gain or for the good of the whole. Now let us examine it in its worst aspect, when interpreted by the lower undeveloped mind. It is to wield a terrible power for selfish ends upon life tliat is weaker than its own, and so it has made the animals a focus for one of the basest instincts in the human race—the lust for power which has its deep roots in an inferiority complex in the human psyche. There can be no peace or harmony on this planet until we interpret this word in its spiritual sense, and how can we in truth do otherwise since it springs from a spiritual source. Surely, it means that Man, who has gone a little further than his younger brothers—the animals—in his evolution, should use his wisdom to love, understand and protect, and so to help them in their upward path of evolution. Life has no special favourites as some Christians would have us believe, for all her children from the highest to the lowest are One. If, as the Church would have us believe, that which is higher can be justified in exploiting and crushing that which is weaker than itself why do so many Christians pray to higher beings such as the saints and angels for compassion and help ? It seems rather illogical and one-sided since our own spiritual growth must be as comparable to that of these hierarchies as that of the animals—or even insects—is to the spiritual growth of Man. Surely the superiority of these higher beings would justify them in torturing, exploiting and causing untold suffering to men who are far less evolved and weaker than they are, but, says the Church, " Animals have no souls." Yet, what idea can we have of a soul without its attributes ? If this is so, what are the attributes of Soul ? Are they not those transcendent qualities we see in living things not confined to Man alone ? An animal shows soul qualities in its emotional nature, in its instinct for co-operation and unselfish love. It would take too long to relate the countless instances of animals who have risen to heights of almost ethical behaviour in their gratitude for the love and sympathy sometimes given to them by humans. Gratitude, sympathy and love—are not these soul attributes ? If we say they are not, then the soul is an abstraction which we can attribute neither to animals nor Man, which makes them equal. If we admit they are, then animals and Man alike both possess souls. When Man betrays his sacred trust, the animals, he betrays the god within. This is the sin against the Holy Ghost, the sin against life itself, and it will continue to cause the equivalent 20

suffering in Man himself until the scales of self-delusion fall from his eyes and he sees with the eyes of the spirit. Man was bidden to eat the fruit of every tree in the garden* and to shed the blood of no animal lest it be demanded of him. The world as it is today shows the result of the violation of this spiritual - law. When he drives the spirit out of a living creature to devour its body, Man coarsens his soul and we see this brutality rising from one level to another, until bloody wars are fought. " Thou Shalt Not Kill," is a commandment which has been ignored to suit the baser appetites of Man, and this ignoring has the sanction of the Church in times of war. How can the body, which is the temple of the spirit, be pure to express the higher consciousness if it is nourished and polluted by the suffering and deprivation of life of another creature while the earth is lush with the golden harvest of nature, and the fruits fall to the earth ? A great master died saying, " Forgive them for they know not what they do." This stricken cry alone can save the sensitive soul from insanity while life hangs suffering upon its own crossof ignorance until the spirit of love can set it free. So let us try to understand with our intuitive minds the depth and meaning behinds the words we use and clear our brains of repetitive thoughts that grow like weeds to choke the blossoms of creative thinking. Then the consciousness can be illumined by the light within, the only criterion of truth, until at length we know all life as one and use our Dominion to liberate the suffering dumb,, using our wisdom and love in the service of life itself.

NEWS FROM FRANCE

A translation of an article in Paris Match dated February 3rd, 1962 Brigitte Bardot has made an appeal on T.V. That is not enough. She needs the help of Paris Match readers. AN OFFICIAL DECREE MUST BE PASSED TO PREVENT ANIMALS FROM SUFFERING ANY LONGER IN OUR ABATTOIRS. A young unknown boy joined B.B. on television the other day to plead the cause of animals killed in some abattoirs without anything being done to lessen their suffering. This young 19-year-old, Jean Paul, has written to us with B.B.'s support to ask Paris Match readers to uphold his action. How did they meet? How did they both decide to intervene publicly? It was in 1955. Jean Paul was 12. Such was his love for animals that he used to collect all manner of them (dogs, cats, chickens, rats) in his parents' home. He founded the CLUB 21

DES JEUNES AMIS DES ANIMAUX (15,000 members in France today), printed a bulletin (spread throughout the world by UNESCO), learned that a young film star, B.B., was also very fond of animals, and asked her for her help. " If you need anything at all," she replied, " come and ask me." In 1959 he brought to her attention the cruel fate awaiting animals in the abattoirs. For 2 years both of them drew up a complete study of the problem. On January 5th, 1962, B.B. and Jean Paul passed to a television attack. Their appeal had such a resounding effect that tens of thousands of letters of approval were to answer them. Jean Paul writes: â&#x20AC;&#x201D; " There are still some ' dissatisfied' people who have put forward two main objections. May I ask Paris Match to let me reply? (1) We are accused of having suggested that all French abattoirs are ancient and barbaric. Of course, certain French abattoirs are exemplary, hut others are an example of what should not be done. We know that today in France, horses are rendered insensible by a bullet in the head, that use of the pole-axe on bullocks and cows is tending to decrease, and that pigs often benefit from the use of electric anaesthetics. But horses can kick and bite, bulls can use their strength, and pigs have the privilege of being able to screamâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it's annoying, therefore, to cause them to suffer. Calves, however, and sheep and goats are meek and inoffensive and have not the slightest means of defence. Their throats are often cut, therefore, without their having been knocked unconscious, and on the whole they are not knocked out with a bullet. But the English and Danes both use special guns for the small animals in every one of their abattoirs. Besides, it is in the interest of all of us that our butchered animals do not suffer. Suffering and anguish cause their meat to turn much more toxic. And finally, it is surely a little irritating for us French to think that Germany hesitates to buy our meat because the hygienic conditions in its production are quite insufficient compared with those required in Germany. (2) What is B.B. trying to get mixed up in again? Some people are saying she has no qualification for this. But these people would change their minds if they could have seen how, for the last five years, B.B. has given her attention to the problem, since she heard of what took place in the abattoirs. She immediately gave her support to the work of helping abattoir animals, has herself done a lot of work and has studied quantities of technical dossiers. Since 1955, she was the first to take seriously these young people of 10 to 13 whom everybody laughed at, and when she learned of the existence of this international work of the 'Jeunes Amis des Animaux,' she informed Dr. Albert Schweitzer, who at once sent her his warmest encouragement." 22

We would mention that Jean Paul and B.B.'s club has recently received the support of two official sources—of M. CHABANDELMAS, President of the National Assembly, and M. ROGER FREY, Minister of the Interior, who says, " If a large number of people think and write as you do, a decree could be passed." This justified the appeal with which Jean Paul ends his letter: "That every Animals' Friend should join us and write either to the club (C.J.A.A., Le Perreux, Seine), or to Paris Match, then we shall get a national law or decree governing all the abattoirs, forbidding those out-dated methods which permit suffering to be inflicted upon animals.

CRUSADE AGAINST ALL CRUELTY TO ANIMALS The natural history writer reveals to us, from the experience of his field studies, fascinating glimpses of nature's secrets— glimpses which encourage many of us to seek for ourselves. But too often in natural history writings the word " pest" appears when reference is made to the relationship of man with animal or bird. Too often writers omit to mention the salient fact that man—the greatest predator of all—has, by his past actions, transformed this or that creature into a so-called " pest." It would seem that some natural history writers at least are like followers of the hunt in their " blinkered " approach to the question of which animals have a claim on their compassion. And yet it is reasonable to suppose that, through his intimate study of their characteristics, personalities and living habits, the natural history writer would display the same impartial sympathy for the fox, the house-sparrow and the wood-pigeon (to mention only a few of the " unpopular " wild creatures), as he does for those creatures considered not so noxious to man. In the main, natural history writers do not, unfortunately, commit themselves unduly on the subject of man's obligations towards the living beings they describe so minutely. Perhaps it is as one well-known and popular exponent has alleged: " They get further that way." But further for whom ? Admittedly, the ever-increasing interest in natural history is a welcome sign and the bookshop shelves are a tangible indication of the growth of the demand. If this upsurge of interest is going to have a lasting impact on the mind and morality of man, however, it must indeed be linked with man's responsibility to care for all living beings. The true student of natural history will not only gaze and record, but will strive for understanding of his living subjects not only as physical beings but in their relationship with himself. This will, of necessity, involve a facing up 23

to the controversial topic of man's abuse of the animal kingdom. He will then, in truth, " get further " in the only way which ultimately matters—through the flowering of one of the highest attributes of the human spirit, namely, compassion. In his book, Animal Life Yesterday and Today, written many years ago, J. Morewood Dowsett ends with the plea: " I wish authors who contribute to natural history would turn their pen where possible in support of a proper treatment of animals, and strive to inculcate humane principles. . . ." We heartily endorse this sentiment. When visiting a well-known school several months ago we showed one or two deeply thought-provoking films which illustrated man's inhumanity towards certain species of animal, and in our talks we stressed the need for the children, as the citizens of tomorrow, to face up to these and other issues. At the close of the hour of talks and films, the Headmaster, who was present throughout and who was himself a keen student of natural history, made a remark which to us was highly significant and gratifying. He said: " Your efforts this morning have been a salutary reminder to me that to watch is not enough." What a tremendous power for good the pens of natural history writers could wield if more of them were to act upon this truth ! MARGARET A. COOPER (Miss), Secretary, Crusade Against All Cruelty to Animals, 3 Woodfield Way, Bounds Green Road, London, N.ll. [One of the dominating topics of our time is the use of nuclear energy and " the bomb." This subject is front-paged at Easter because of the Aldermaston March. A contributor has sent us the following, based on last year's march.—EDITOR.] ALDERMASTON Another " h o l y " (!) Easter With a Sacrificial " Tree," To it, (£) millions " reconciled," For death we cannot see, Yet the " still small voice" of thousands Trod the way to sanity As they all went the same way home. None were rul'd by childhood preaching, Nor the dope their service taught, No one let outdated teaching Serve as substitute for thought, For incinerated bleaching Cannot shew us havoc wrought, , We'll all go the same way home. 24

Are you a youngish fellow But you really wouldn't dare? Or advanc'd years made you mellow And you really couldn't care? Or "Rule Britannia" below And of facts quite unaware? You'll all go the same way home. Are you following "The Leader"? (No need to mention whom.) Do you elevate your arm As tho' you wish to leave the room? You would leave it soon enough, boy! . And you won't need any tombâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; We'll all go the same way home. Are you proud of being British? Are you known as Isadore? Are you White, or Black, or Yellow? Are you rich or are you poor? Nor origin nor politics Would save you from the roar As we all went the same way home. Are you capable of thinking? Or you want a Party lead, Do horses, sex and drinking Supply your every need? If so, continue blinking At the doom you'll never heed. And you'll all go the same way home. The Socialist, the Tory And the honest and the cheat, The tradesman and the dustman And the policeman on the beat, Agnostic and " believer " All disintegrate in heat As we all go the same way home. For survival and repose And mass oblivion to baulk ; (Not for politics or foes Do they act instead of talk,) You should swell the ranks of those Who made the Aldermaston Walk And for " LIFE," go the same way home.

WILLIAM S. SHIPP.

NATIONAL HEALTH REFORM LEAGUE General Organising Secretary (pro tem.)\

JOHN B . SCORE,

, POOLE, DORSET.

It is proposed to form the above League, and support and membership is invited from the following (the list is not intended to be comprehensive): â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Diet Reformers, Lacto-Vegetarians, Vegans, Fruitarians, Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Nature Cure Practitioners. Nature Cure and Natural Therapy adherents. Spiritual Healers. Herbalists. Members of the British Natural Hygiene Society. Medical Freedom Supporters. Animal Welfare Organisations and Animal Welfarers, Cruel Sport Abolitionists. Anti-Vaccinationists, Anti-Vivisectionists. Organic food producers and vendors (compost grown products). Those opposed to the use of poisons (chemicals) and adulterants at any stage in the production and marketing of foodstuffs. Health Food Stores, proprietors and staff. Individuals who reject all forms of suppressive therapies (vaccines, chemicals, etc.) in the treatment of disease. Etc., etc. A Publication Fund has been opened to support initial publicity, and it is proposed to produce a Bulletin for circulation to members and affiliated organisations. Suggestions and support are most cordially invited. The main purpose of the League is envisaged as that of presenting a united front on matters where some measure of common interest can be found. Examples of these might be the following: â&#x20AC;&#x201D; (a) An attempt to counter the present trend towards a return to compulsory vaccination and inoculation (in collaboration with the National Anti-Vaccination League). (b) To establish the right to contract out of the National Health Service, or alternatively, or additionally, to establish a scheme whereby the services of " unorthodox" practitioners could become available under the N.H.S. without concurrent loss of their freedom (in collaboration with any existing Organisation making efforts in this direction). (c) To establish the freedom of farmers to receive subsidies without their being compelled to purchase chemical fertilisers as a condition of this Government assistance. 26

Pending a proper constitution under democratic procedures, the under-mentioned is willing to act as General Organising Secretary to the League, reserving the right of withdrawal without prejudice: — John B. Score, Poole, Dorset. [Readers' commen this.—EDITOR.] WRONG NUMBER (The following letter was recently received by the Editor.) Do you know it is now possible for you to own breeding sows and receive a substantial cheque every six months from the piglets farrowed by your sows? Our proposal is really quite simple. Breeding sows (1 to 20) will be registered in your name as the owner and boarded and tended for you at one of the pig farms in the Home Counties area. Every six months a cheque will be sent to you from the sale of your piglets farrowed. Eight and seven piglets in alternate litters, two litters from your sows each year for a period of four years, a guaranteed fixed price for the sale of your piglets as weaners, and fixed charges for the management, accommodation, feeding and marketing of your sow and piglets, are all guaranteed to you as one of our " Stayat-home Farmers." The facts that you have purchased and own the sows, that you can inspect them on prior short notice, that they are managed by pig-breeding experts and are on farms approved by insurance against all mortality risks (except radio-active fall-out) make these proposals original and profitable. The profit which you will get from your sows, and which is guaranteed, is high in relation to the moderate capital outlay. If you are interested in receiving fuller details of our proposals and how the guaranteed profit is maintained, without, of course, any obligation on your part, please reply in the enclosed reply paid envelope. As allocations are limited, you will ensure prompt attention by writing today. Yours faithfully, ANGLIAN PIG BREEDERS.

•

" There are two occasions when it is not advisable to gamble . . . when you can't afford it, and when you can."— Mark Twain. * * * * " The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved "—Victor Hugo. 27

READERS' LETTERBOX HUNGRY CHILDREN

Dear Sir,â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Why is it necessary to collect money first before hungry children in the world can be fed daily ? At the " War on W a n t " Exhibition held in London last year, I learned that three-quarters of the world's food was consumed by one-third of the population, who happened to be the white people. Mr. Christopher Soames, Minister of Agriculture, made it known on July 12th that we had a world food surplus, so it is surely quite evident that food is being hoarded, nay, being held from those people who go hungry to bed every other night: those people God chose to have black skins and for whom He provided food in abundance. In a recent copy of The Rochester Review, the notes by the Bishop of Rochester, which were written just after the exhibition closed, stated that millions of human beings would go to bed hungry on Christmas Day, and it seems this prophecy has been fulfilled. Why should this be so, Sir ? If Christ was here today would He not remedy matters and chastise those at fault for " offending these little ones " ? According to modern dictionaries, it is clear that Churchianity is not Christianity. Is it too much to ask the Church, with its world-wide organised religion, to rectify this matter by starting now a campaign to make the position clear and to arrange that, next Christmas Day, no child in the whole world may be able to say " This is not MY day to eat ! " Humanitarians ! Humanists ! Animal lovers ! What are you going to do ? Many churchgoers do not believe the fact that they have been consuming that portion of food which would have saved countless thousands of black children from dying from lack of food during far too many past decades when food was never in so short supply as to necessitate a single death. A postcard to me reads: " To hell with you and your black children dying from lack of food ; doesn't this keep the population down ? " A friend writes: " Dear Bob, I am not interested. This is a matter for your M.P." Another says there is the National Assistance Board, indicating he is not aware of the position in the world. An agnostic friend asks me not to send any more leaflets, etc., re. children going without food as it makes him feel awkward. So we are all " escapists." We concentrate on so many things that matter so little and this, one of civilisation's greatest crimes, goes into our file of sympathetic inaction. London, N.W.8. R . LEES. Dear Sir,â&#x20AC;&#x201D;I was pleased to find an article on nuclear disarmament in The Vegan autumn number. I have been a Member of the Peace Pledge Union for a long time. 28

Your " Practical Page" is very interesting. I have used sprouted seeds for many years now. I began with sprouted wheat and now I sprout soya beans, chickpeas, peas, sunflower seeds and the small green beans the Chinese use for bean sprouts. I keep mine handy and visible in the kitchen but I cover them with a damp flannel so that they are in the dark. I allow sunflower seeds to grow until they push off the shell and do not find them unpalatable at that stage. I am not lucky with soya beans as only a small proportion germinate and the rest go soft. I've tried eating melon seeds and found them very sweet, but melon seeds when germinated become horribly bitter. Could you tell me where 1 can obtain alfalfa seed ? I should like to try it germinated. Does it contain vitamin B ? I am glad to see that your next issue is to have articles on veganic food production. I garden without either chemical fertilizers or slaughter house products such as dried blood and bonemeal, and should like to know more about it. 1 2

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I was also very interested in the winter number of The Vegan, though I do not share the objections to the use of composted sewage or horse manure. The list of vegan meetings on page 10 was really tantalising. I should love to go to a Vegan Dinner or Social Evening, but, although I spend several weeks a year in London, I could not possibly attend meetings at the time you hold them. Would it not be possible occasionally to hold a Vegan Dinner during school holidays? I am glad you propose publishing a list of vegans. I do not know any in this area. Stockton-on-Tees. O. ROBOTHAM (Miss) Dear Sir,—I feel impelled to write to you and express my enthusiasm for a most lively issue (Autumn, 1961). The Editorial strikes a most useful and topical note, and whatever political brainwashing your readers may have suffered elsewhere, there can be no quarrel with the principles outlined and the conclusions to be drawn. . . . I read your recorded talk on " Britain and the Bomb " with pleased astonishment that such a detailed and excellent article should be able to find a place in your magazine. I am sure much good will have been done by your efforts and would like to extend my personal congratulations. Poole, Dorset. JOHN B . SCORE. (The above letter from the producer of "The Voice of Freedom " was typical of many received on this theme.—Editor.) Dear Sir,—It was said in the Sunday Times (28th Oct.), that vegetarians would be more vulnerable than meat eaters to Strontium 90 fall out. In view of this would it be possible tohave an article in The Vegan telling vegans how they can minimise 29

their intake of Strontium 90 when the expected fall out increases next Spring ? I suppose that vegans are at an advantage in this respect in that they do not take milk. Cambridge. H . D . SILLS. Dear Sir,—As a vegan for about seven months, I am interested in joining the Vegan Society. I should be pleased if you could give me answers to some questions which often come into my mind. The Vegan Society, to be consistent, should oppose the keeping of pets (dogs, cats), whose existence necessitates the continued slaughter of many animals for food. Does the Society consider that keeping pets is inconsistent with its principles, or, if not, can it suggest a way of feeding the pets on a fleshless diet ? The Society opposes the keeping of cows, etc., for their milk and other products. Can you suggest where these animals could be sent to, if they were not kept on farms? The delivery of animals from Man's exploitation would mean there would be no meat, which would, in turn, mean that the carnivorous pets would return to their normal—or natural—state of killing to survive. How do vegans propose, therefore, to restore Nature as it was before animals were domesticated ? Would it be practical for everyone to be vegan ? Older people, living for years on a partly-carnivorous diet, would probably find a change unsuited to their bodies. Keighley, Yorkshire. H. W. Dear Sir,—I would like to thank " E. D. " for giving his or her reasons for not joining the Vegan Society. When difficulties really are appreciated surely it is kinder to join and help those who are still plodding along ? There is still much work to be done with the manufacturers in order that all shapes and sizes of vegans are catered for and, for those who are at business all day, it is sometimes very tiring to spend the lunch hour trailing round the shops and being told that it is the small size that is awkward ! »I have found shoes with very high thin heels which, if I wear them, will only aggravate an already over-tried spine. Being very short I do not like to wear the very flat shoes but, by continually asking for these non-animal shoes with a medium heel, I am hoping that a demand is being created ! At a recent demonstration of Beauty Without Cruelty I was delighted to see the wonderful range of coats offered, but the prices are still beyond the pockets of many housewives with families. A similar demonstration was given by a local vegetarian society many years ago and I remember thinking the same then. We are all at varying degrees in our attainments, but I am 30

sure I echo the desire of all vegans when I say that we are all working towards the day when we do not wear animal clothes of any description. We can now use all non-animal cosmetics, soap powders and floor polish, thanks to the past investigations of those in charge of the commodities on behalf of the members of the Society. Perhaps some of the members whom " E. D. " saw three years ago had only recently joined us and, with each one, it must be a case of " First Things First." I cannot help but wonder whether " E. D. " has managed to furnish the home without woollen upholstery and carpets. I am trying to replace my eiderdowns with Terylene, and my pillows as and when possible, but I am still wearing a coat made with wool. Who shall say where we are to begin ? P'ease join us " E. D." that we may be encouraged in reaching the goal to which we aspire—when cruelty will cease to exist for the creatures and mankind will find the Divinity within his own temple. Purley. S. N . COLES. Dear Sir,—With unusual interest I read " The Power of Kindness " by Dr. Frey Ellis in the Winter, 1961, issue of The Vegan. The article provoked thought and provided an instructive experience. Certain of the sentences might well be remembered and ruminated upon. I speak of such statements as " the correct use of kindness is essential for continuous happiness" and " the intellect must be treated and respected as a servant but never allowed to be master." The essay is of the type I should like to see appear more frequently. At the end of the article, comment is made that it is a portion of one appearing in With Sword and Shield, the organ of " Crusade Against All Cruelty to Animals." If other readers of The Vegan are like myself they would welcome having directly available to them all Dr. Ellis has said on his topic. May I suggest that this article be presented in pamphlet form and made part of the vegan literature? Fulham. MARION SUMP. [An excellent suggestion!—EDITOR.] Dear Sir,—I have been amazed, recently, to learn of the slaughter connected with milk production. If more lactovegetarians knew the facts, they would be eager to help stamp out this blot on the countryside, I am sure. It seems that twice as many calves must be born (with artificial aids) as the dairy industry requires. The males, being far greater in number than needed by the meat-eaters, are killed off. These would not have been born, or killed, were it not to supply the artificially created demand for milk. 31

Man has not (yet) devised a serum which will ensure that his cows produce a greater preponderance of girl babies, but when and if he does, we have no doubt it will be hailed as a great step forward in the dairy industry. No matter how distressing might be its effects on the cow, or cruel the preliminary work on the tortured little bodies in the experimental labs., so long as it proves to be a short cut to bigger profits, the dairy industry can be confidently expected to hail it with undisguised enthusiasm. I wish many lacto-vegetarians would think more about these things, and realise that excluding flesh from the diet is really only the first step towards a life of true consistency and constructive compassion. ANON.

[The Editor regrets that several letters have had to be postponed until the next issue.] MISCELLANEOUS