CORRESPONDENCE
Vegetarianism and Food
Fads
(To the Editor, S. C. M. Post)
Sir,-Regarding the recent letters on vegetarianism from two of your correspondents, I should like to add my voice to theirs in whole-hearted- ly approving the Vegetarian's creed. I would however like to add a few opinions of my own on the subject.
I believe that development cannot be forced, and that people must be guided by their own experience and growing knowledge rather than by the dogmatic utterances of others.
Vegetarianism, desirable as it is.
cannot be thrust upon anyone sud- denly. Mankind will gradually grow to realize that meat is not its pro- per diet; people will cease to desire it they develop, but until that time comes any forced restraint will not do much good, for if the "long- ing" for flesh meat is there it is about as bad as if it were indulged in. The habit of generations cannot be changed in a day, mankind must gradually outgrow the desire.
In the meantime I would appeal for a little earnest thought on the subject. The animal kingdom is perhaps behind us on the path of evolution, but surely that very fact should make us realise their need for our help and love and our in- telligent co-operation in aiding in their growth and development to higher things. Let us consider whether or not we are eating too much meat to the detriment of our health and better feelings; let us for a beginning resolve to reduce our intake to say a half of what we usually consume. To all deep- thinking people a consideration of the "Vegetarian's creed" gradually but surely bring a willing acceptance, until eventually we shall reach that happy stage where our duty to the younger creatures in God's plan will be not only clear in our conscience but joyfully formed.
one
VEGETARIAN-TO-BE.
will
per-
Sir, I am glad to see that some- has taken up the tasks of ad- ministering a mild rebuke to the vegetarian faddists. By all means let there be vegetarians, and let them air their opinions in the press, but it is absurd for mere laymen like they are to start to "tell the world" of meat about the harmful effects eating and the wonderful benefits of a purely vegetable diet, for that they cannot prove scientifically or other- wise. With a remarkable ignorance of anatomy or dietetics, they claim that man cannot term meat a natural food, and also seem to think that his stomach, not adapted like the her- bivores to vegetable diet, can digest all the vegetarian food that is neces- and to keep up his energy sary health, and, what is more important, store up fat and reserves.
The fact is, meat is man's natural diet, for our earliest ancestors were carnivores in part. It is man's ability to live on a mixed diet of meat and fruit and vegetables which has enabled him to survive and evolve as he has. Our internal anatomy is net adapted to an entirely vegetable diet. So-called vegetarians know this very well, and such purely animal foods as eggs and mulk form
large part of their alleged
NEWS FEATURES
44
END
Hongkong
The Very Rev. Father L. Robert, formerly head of the French Mission in Hongkong, is expected here this month on his way to the Eucharistic Congress in Manila.
Two Chinese, man and a woman. appeared before Mr. K. Keen at the Central Magistracy yesterday on charges of possession of a quantity of pink paste and a large amount of heroin pills. They will be tried at the next Sessions.
Mr
Appearing on remand before K. Keen at the Central Magistracy kidnapper was sen- yesterday, a tenced to six months' rigorous im- prisonment for having stolen a six- year-old Chinese girl on December 31.
A new motor road to connect Causeway Bay with Shaukiwan is to be constructed in connection with a major scheme of residential de- velopment of the Eastern district.
The death occurred at Swatow yesterday of Mr. George Hutton Potts, Chairman of the Hongkong Stock Exchange and one of the Colony's oldest European residents. The funeral will take place on Wed- nesday afternoon.
Congregation Day was held at the University yesterday, when graduates in the faculties of Arts, Medicine and Engineering received their degrees from H.E. Sir Andrew Caldecott, the Chancellor. The Vice-Chancellor. Sir William Hornell, made a fare- well speech, in which he announced that before next Congregation Day he will have left for Home on re- tirement.
Far East
The Nanking State Council has de- cided to pardon Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang, although it has ordered him to be temporarily placed "under strict surveillance" by the Military
Affairs Commission.
Some alarm has been caused in Shanghai by rumours that ten Japanese warships on January 2 swept the shore of Taitsang, eastern Kiangsu, with machine-gun fire for half an hour before proceeding up- river. The rumours have not been confirmed.
Overseas
The Pope had a better night ac- cording to yesterday's news, but his general condition is unchanged.
The agreement between Britain and Italy signed in Rome on Satur- day has been welcomed by the Con- servative press in England. The Daily Herald and the News Chronicle are critical in view of the landing of more Italian volunteers in Spain. The
former
paper describes the agreement as merest humbug.
The international situation arising from the Spanish civil war is be- coming increasingly serious. The Spanish Government has "decided to
take the necessary diplomatic steps" in connection with the seizure of Spanish vessels by German war- ships, and considers the German de- mand for the release of the cargo of the steamer Palos and the Spanish passenger found aboard her as couched in terms improper for a communication with a Sovereign State."
Germany on the other hand, re- fused to discontinue retaliatory mea- incident is finally cleared up, and it sures against Spain until the Palos
is reported that another vessel, the Marta Junquera, has been seized off Santona.
The Spanish Ambassador in Paris described the German actions as "equivalent to a declaration of war, creating a serious situation for Euro- pean peace."
Strong feeling has also been aroused in Germany by the report of the execution of a German subject by Leftists at Bilbao.
Meanwhile, the war continues. Madrid has been shelled by Rightist artillery and considerable damage has been done in Malaga where in- cendiary bombs were dropped by Rightist planes.
Over 5,000 Italians are reported to have been landed from Italian warships at Cadiz.
Sports
Rain again interfered with the Test cricket in Melbourne yesterday, but Australia consolidated its position and at stumps, Bradman and Fingle- ton were batting with the score at five for 194.
The European Press defeated the Hongkong Referees at football by 2-1 in an even encounter at Sookunpoo yesterday.
In connection with the forthcoming Interport football match, Shanghai
will probably be sending down 16 players. This was stated at the monthly meeting of the Hongkong Football Council held yesterday. The visitors, according to tentative rangements, are expected to arrive here on February 9, and will play three matches.
ar-
STOP PRESS
THE GRAND NATIONAL
Major Furlong Not Entering Reynoldstown
of him
London, Jan. 4.
the Major Furlong,
owner Reynoldstown, is not entering for the Grand National.
In the first place there is such a thing as taking the pitcher to the well too often, and, secondly the altered conditions are unfair to the best horses, who may be beaten by selling platers owing to the receipt of top weight.
Just after the decision Reynold- stown won the Mapperley Chase at Leicester, his first race since last year's Grand National.-Reuter.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.