FARMING AND FOXHUNTING 



We have hunting, racing, football, cricket and sport 

 of every description and to suit all tastes. This 

 sport makes life worth living, and must act as a 

 safety-valve. It is said, I know, that the country 

 spends too much of its resources on sport. That's 

 as it may be. 



C. W. W. : I have not much in common with 

 people who hold that view. I say, take the cash 

 and let the credit go. I know you are quite a 

 reader, Hurd. You surely can recall why the great 

 Duke of Wellington was so successful in the Penin- 

 sula. Was it not because he kept a pack of hounds 

 in Spain just to amuse the troops during the off 

 days ? 



Then just look at the many social activities these 

 hunting people share with us farmers. To mention 

 a few : hunt balls, wire dances, support for local 

 agricultural shows. Again, who would miss the 

 annual Point-to-Point races ? They cost nothing 

 except to the man who is lucky enough to own a 

 motor-car. But no farmer ever pays anything that 

 day. No, he gets everything free and in most cases 

 a free lunch. 



A. H. : Yes, that is a courteous repayment of 

 the hospitality that the farmer freely gives to hunt 

 over his land. If foxhunting is to go on, and it 

 would be a bad day for the country if it were 

 stopped, there must be the spirit of give-and-take 

 between farmers and the Hunt. I have no griev- 

 ance against the Hunt in my part of the country, 

 but you do hear of cases of rank bad manners, and 

 quite unnecessary damage is done to farm property, 



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