AN ANTI-PURITAN LEAGUE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1809, 16 July 1906, Page 4

AN ANTI-PURITAN LEAGUE.

One of the latest loaguos in England is one formed to combat what the > promoters describe as Puritan tyranny, i Tho Anti-Puritan League, as the now 1 body is called, has issued an explana- * tory appeal, in wbi-.-h reference is made to “*the ir.-pwingTJJflJEPiyyi * national and municipal politics.” Tho manifesto say 3 that ‘‘ those who regard half of human life as inherently vile, 1 who look upon a dance or the drinking of a glass of beer as a moral sin, are indeod a small minority of tho people of England,” hut the majority are told that these peoplo are so admirably organised that they are able to get their representatives elected to municipal bodies. They have, so the Anti-Puritan League affirms, practically captured the London County Council, and it remains to ho seen whether they will also capture the House of Commons. The League propones to fight Puritan tyranny in all its manifestations, and the promoters claim that it stands “ for tho recognition of tho right of every citizen to opportunities of docent and humane recreation. It advocates temperance in pleasures, not abstinence from them, as the true human ideal.” To much that goes by the name of *' Temperance lieform ” tho loague is strongly opposed, and in its place offers a constructive policy of “ provision by the municipality of pleasant places of refreshment where the citizens could get good liejuor under docent and humane conditions, and where any profit would go to tho people themselves, to bo used for tho general good.” Tho “ stupid hostility ” which municipalities offer to dancing and tho theatre will he combatted, and the movomont lor the abolition of aiiiuseumat on Sundays opposed. On this last point tho league disclaims any desire to do away with the principle of ono day’s rest in sevon, but declares that it will resist all attempts to force “ a narrow and bitter Sabbatarianism upon the democracy.” “It appears to mo,” says Mr Walter Crane, one of the moving spirits, “ that the leaguo will .create a more humane opinion regardless of tho views of the narrowest religious socts, Let the people bo happy. You can always 1 get tho best out of a man when ho is pleased with himself. It is an unfavorable soil for wickedness to grow [ in.” Tho movement is said to ho re* coiving a good deal of support.