Wars, earthquakes, famines, political upheavals worldwide; but in England there is always room in the newspapers and country-sport magazines for news about the fox. The hunting of it, that is. One magazine refers to an article in The Daily Telegraph written by the Prime Minister, which was intended to reassure those who shoot and fish that their sports are safe under Labour. The opening sentences, the magazine avers, strongly suggest that government action against hunting would come shortly. And, goes the argument, with that accomplished, animal rights enthusiasts will move in immediately to advocate a ban on shooting. At the party conference in Bournemouth this week, Mr Blair is likely, it is said, to be confronted by the pro-hunting blocs - Countryside Alliance and the National Farmers Union. Mr Blair, writes the magazine, scoffs at hunting because it is a minority pastime: "Presumably the protection of minorities is one aspect of the Old Labour skin that has been sloughed off." It is said that 16,000 people will march at Bournemouth to represent the number of people who will lose their job if hunting is banned.
Not all country people are devoted to fox-hunting. Surely some farmers resent this clattering cavalcade riding over their land - even if suitable compensation is paid. Much effort has gone into making the case that hunting is not just for gentry, and how much employment it gives. Many people must be indifferent to the whole scene. Two readers take issue with the writer of a letter in a previous issue of the magazine who had apparently pleaded the fox's case. The counter letter didn't agree with its picture of "the lovely, non-vicious fox with its appetite for mice and worms. Try 14 lambs and 11 hens this year so far." He has never hunted, but is behind "this ancient sport 100 per cent." And he points out how much scavenging the fox does among the country's vermin. For Ireland, all this will be of some interest. If hunting is banned in England, will the enthusiasts come over here, with or without their steeds? Will they be welcome i.e., can Irish hunts take on more members, even just occasionally. There would seem to be no chance of the Government here following Blair's example - if he does impose the ban. Y