ANTI-SHOUTING SOCIETY

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 582, 28 November 1902, Page 3

ANTI-SHOUTING SOCIETY

(To the Editor Gisborne Times.) Eir,—ln the din and stress of the mighty local option battle, I was pulled hither and thither by the burning eloquence of the orators on either side, like a dry willow leaf on the current of the Waipaoa in flood-time, I tried my level best to think out my duty calmly and dispassionately ; but it was all of no use. Just when Mr

Rees had fired me with unhounded admiration for the patriarchs of old who could put away unlimited gallons at one feast, and not so much as wink after it ; just when his graphic descnption of how good ale had built up the sinews of the sons of Britain, and bad won nearly all her -battles for her, both on land and sea, had caused me to shout “More beer for the Briton'; Miss Balgarnie would come along, and suppress all the ardor within mo by reciting Gough’s “ Apostrophe to water,” and in" less than five minutes f woiilu be weeping bitter, scalding tears over a fallen world and “ man’s

inhumanity to man.” Just when I had resolved to sign the pledge and pin a piece of blue ribbon on my coat, bless me, sir, if the Waiapu Reform League didn’t spring into existence in a isingle night, and the promoters of it, were -so convincing with the arguments oi the good that they would do that I was in a hopeless quandary agaiiij Anyhow, sir, 1 got so muddled and confused amongst the flood of eloquence, that I do not know to this hour, which line I did strike out when 1 got behind the curtain. Now that the electors have disposed of the question for another three years and when one would naturally expect peace and quietness after the howling of the storm, would you believe it,

sir, I have been asked to join yet another society, which has sprung into existence. It is none other than the “ Anti-Shouting Society.” The organisers are well-known and levelheaded young men of this town. One of them explained the rules to me yesterday. A member of the society must not “ shout ” or accept a “ shout ” from anyone, on any conditions whatever, under penalty of a ten shillings fine. I don't- know what to do, sir. I know that I have spent many good sovereigns in buying drink for half-a-dozen fellows together, some of wl:om I did not know, and a good many of whom I believe did not want particularly to drink just at the moment- I know that everyone believes that the habit of " shouting ” is a positive curse ; as silly and meaningless as it is wasteful and extravagant. I don’t like “ shouting ” ; but 1 object to the rule which prevents me ftom accepting a ll shout from the other feliow. However, I really believe that if these young men succeed ines-t-atlishing the anti-shouting society, ani the members adhere to its rules, they will have done more ip the way of somid reforms than all the Reeses, Lycnars, Thompsons, Balgarnies, and Ta' lors have done in the past six months, with all their fiery eloquence. Why should a man be ashamed, if be wants a glass of heer, lo fie in and bn/, pay, and drink it like a man, without calling in a friend to drink a glass with him. Yet, so strong is custom, I have even “ shouted for tho barman or publican rather than have a drink by myself. I think I will join this society, Mr Editor , so u voj come across me in a saloon, don t expect me to ask you to have a glass, -hut just watch me drink and pay tor m/ glass of liquor ; and you do wise. But I must go to the rally tir-st. to see if I can get any more-light on" the subject—at present it is for information, not liquor, 1 am thirsting, so if the lady gets the last word she