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Manchester Defeats Attempt to Outlaw Jewish Ritual Slaughter; Anti-semitism an Issue

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The city council of Manchester yesterday defeated a proposal to abolish Jewish ritual slaughter in that city, it was reported here today, Instead, the council voted to recommend to the government that it set up a national committee to study the entire slaughtering problem.

Overtones of anti-Semitism were introduced into the case when L. Thomas, chairman of the council’s market committee, which introduced the defeated resolution, revealed that he had received a number of letters from Jew-baiters who wanted to use the ritual slaughter issue to spread their propaganda. Another councillor, J. Ackerley, who circulated literature among all councillors opposing Jewish ritual slaughter, denied during the council debate that he was inspired in his activities by anti-Semitic feelings.

It is understood that the butchers employed in the three abbatoirs where kosher meat is prepared in Manchester signed a statement to the effect that they did not disapprove of the method used in kosher slaughtering. If the resolution outlawing ritual slaughter had been passed about 3,500 Manchester Jews would have been deprived of kosher meat.

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