The Vegetarian World Forum

No. 1 Vol. 2 - THE VEGETARIAN - SPRING 1948 pp.44-48

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Vegetarian Societies and editors of vegetarian magazines are invited to send short accounts of activities of international interest for re-distribution through the News Service sponsored by the International Vegetarian Union to further the cause of vegetarianism. Airmail copy to: The Editor, I.V.U. News Service, Exeter Lodge, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, England.

National Societies wishing to join and strengthen the l.V.U. should communicate with The President, W. A. Sibly, Esq., MA., JP. (Glos.), Pearcroft, Stonehouse, Glos., England. The Secretary is Kaj Dessau, Esq., Frederiksberg, Runddel 1, Copenhagen, Denmark. Treasurer, Oluf Egerod, Esq., Svenskelejren 20, Bronshoj, Copenhagen.

NEDERLANDSCHE VEGETARIERSBOND

Vegetarianism in Holland recently suffered a great loss on the retirement of Mr. Felix Ortt, who for half a century has been the spiritual leader of the movement.

A remarkable man, scientist, scholar and prolific writer, the flow of ideas and books from his lonely country house have nourished all those who stand for a better life, protection of animals, new medicine, and anti-vivisection. His magazine (The Messenger) is being continued, and it is hoped that it will become an important feature in the development of food reform, hygiene, health and spiritual unfoldment.

A group of members are co-operating to establish a Vegetarian Centre to provide a home for old folks, a camping ground, social centre and clinic. The scheme is taking shape and over £7,000 has already been collected.

A committee has been formed to prepare for an International Congress in 1949 or 1950.

J. H. BOLT, Amersfoort, Piersonlaan 14.

CALGARY UNIT

Canadian Vegetarian Association (now applying to join the I.V.U.)

April 19th is a date for celebration for the Calgary Unit of the Canadian Vegetarian Association. This year we shall be five years old, for our Society was organized in 1943. Although still a mere infant in comparison to our sister societies in England, we feel that we have accomplished a lot in making our voice and influence heard in the community.

During these past five years, we have held three vegetarian banquets each year. These are our main activity, and we know from the large numbers who attend that there are many who are ready and anxious to hear what we have to offer. The average attendance is around one hundred. The dinners are held in the dining hall in one of Calgary's largest down-town churches. The ladies' group of the church cater for us and, having become familiar with the type of meal required, serve delicious, home-cooked dinners, plentiful and varied. We have recently had the good fortune to hear two distinguished out-of-town speakers, Dr. Scott Nearing and Mrs. Corinne Heline of Los Angeles, California.

The Society's News Bulletin, edited by the Secretary, is published every three months. It is usually a four-page (sometimes six) mimeographed paper, containing a lengthy article on one of the many aspects of vegetarianism, a poem, news items - both local and international - a page on health, diet and vegetarian recipes. The present circulation has reached four hundred, and goes to distant parts of the world.

On occasions during the past years we have expressed our views on national and international matters through letters of protest and recommendations to our own Government representatives in Ottawa; also to the United States Government, as on the occasion of the atomic bomb tests, when our members expressed in no uncertain terms their disapproval of the use of the four thousand animals in the experiment.

Because Canada is the only country in the world where the sale of margarine is prohibited, our Society sent recommendations to Ottawa that this ban be lifted so that those who desire margarine he able to buy it.

During the war-time rationing of meats, our members requested the privilege of using their meat coupons for extra rations of butter. During the month of January, letters of protest have been sent to all leaders and the Minister of Health at Ottawa, vigorously protesting the now-existing embargo placed on the importation of fruits and vegetables into Canada from the United States. As a result of the ban, all citizens, and especially vegetarians, are finding it extremely difficult to obtain the proper balance of vitamins and minerals when lettuce, celery, tomatoes, parsley, grapes, etc., cannot, be bought in Canada to-day.

JUNE KIMBALL. 2211-14 A Street, West, Calgary, Alberta.

NEW ZEALAND VEGETARIAN SOCIETY

On October 9th, the New Zealand Vegetarian Society and its Auckland Branch combined to hold a Vegetarian Dinner in Auckland to celebrate the successful establishment of the National Society as distinct from Branches. This dinner was also planned as an extension of the activities of World Week for Animals. The Society began its existence in Auckland in 1943, and now has Branches and Groups throughout the Dominiun. The membership of this flourishing young Movement, now in its fifth year, is approximately five hundred.

Some seventy-eight people partook of an excellent and tasty repast, from which the flesh of animals; birds and fish was completely excluded. Leaders in various altruistic Movements attended as guests. Miss E. Hunt, Mr. I. J. Duncan and Mr. Geoffrey Hodson (who is both National and Auckland Branch President) all gave inspiring addresses.

Miss Hunt expressed deep appreciation of the influence upon the people of New Zealand of the Vegetarian Movement. To abstain from meat eating, she stated, is to purify the blood stream and to cleanse the heart and mind, making them increasingly responsive to high ideals and spiritualising impulses.. This influence was not restricted to one country, but flows out to the whole world, for it is part of a worldwide Movement. Miss Hunt closed by quoting the aphorism: "Loving action is Divine Wisdom at work."

Mr. Duncan spoke of the great reduction, even to complete elimination, of the suffering of slaughtered animals achieved by the use of the Humane Killer. This instrument, the use of which is enforced by law in many countries, must be reintroduced into New Zealand, he stated.

MYRA C, FRASER, 16, Brighton Road, Parnell C.4, Auckland

VEGETARIER (VU) DEUTSCHLAND

The above Society is working to establish large scale Settlements for vegetarians through Bodenwerk Ltd., and details of progress may be expected shortly.

The following conditions are necessary for recognizing a Settlement as corresponding with the views of V.U.:

1. Fruit (including fruit with peels) will take first place in the self-supporting section so that a supply is guaranteed during the whole year.
2. The cultivation of oil fruits, in particular of poppy and linseed, will take a predominant place.
3. At the utmost, the following animals will be kept: bees, wool-sheep, also dogs if needed. Wool-sheep will not be used for the procuration of meat or milk, nor will they be killed. Dogs will only kept to protect and watch the place.
4. In the case of faeces being used (liquid manure, etc.), this will only be done after having passed through the processes of fermentation and rotting.
5. Stable manurewhich may possibly be available will only be used after having undergone a process of composting.
6. Only the following kinds of commercial manure will be used: Thomas-ground manure, charbonic lime, naaki. Great use will be made of ground primitive stones (basalt, granite, etc.)
7. Particular stress will be laid upon the supply of the soil with vegetable mould.
8. No fruit will be subjected to alcoholic fermentation.
9. The settler's household will use only vegetable products and honey. Fruit will take a predominant place. The consumption of uncooked food will be extended more and more.

The society is anxious to contact other countries where German vegetarians can establish themselves in communities.

W. F. ADOLF BRIEST, (20) Suttorf uber Dahlenburg, Land Niedersachsen, British Zone.

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