ACRUSADE FOR RIGHTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1989, 26 January 1907, Page 2

ACRUSADE FOR RIGHTS.

Legally and theoretically we can always insist on our rights to the full, but he is a wise man who knows when to be silent or to give way. The path of tlio habitual in sister is not particularly smooth. There lias recently been formed in London a League of Universal Rights with the object of enforcing fulfilment' of duty to the fullest extent. Its members insist on omnibuses stopping when hailed, in having dry seats outside in wet weather, on cabmen producing tlieir books of fares, and opening and shutting the doors of their vehicles, on non-smoking comiiartments being strictly preserved as such, and on punctilious attention from waiters. Letters delivered at Clubs are to be handed tp members and not stuck in a rack, and porters are to carry luggage without being tipped. The founder of the League, a Mr. Parfitt, contends that the public is getting too slipshod. “AVe do not object to tipping, but we do insist that duty should be performed independent of such rewards. The League of Universal Rights will teach, or try to teach, the wholesome lesson of duty.” This gentleman,. accompanied by a journalist, gave a demonstration of the League’s tactics the other day. A start was made in the Strand with a motor ’bus moving along at a good rate. The reformer waved his umbrella and shouted “Stop!” but the ’bus paid no attention. The policeman to whom he complained merely remarked, “Never mind, there’ll be another along presently.” Two more vehicles refused to stop for a solitary passenger, and a third drew up grudgingly. AVhen the passenger’s hand was oil the rail, the conductor pulled the bell. The former protested; the latter gripped him, and pullecl him on to the moving vehicle. An exposition of. the law followed, in answer to which tlio conductor shrugged his shoulders and said something that sounded like “Rats!” A four-wheeler was taken from Charing Cross to St. Pancras, and the exact fare, Is fid, was - tendered. Then trouble really began. “Here,” said the cabman, “wot’s this?” “Your faro,” replied Air. Parfitt. “My faro—this?” He looked at' the silver contemptuously. “I want another shilling at least.” “Show me your hook of fares,” demanded Air. Parfitt. The cabman gave him ii withering glance. “Call yourself gentlemen,” ho cried, “and you treat a man wot is a man like this—bah !” On the underground matters were even more unsatisfactory. People were standing, and Air. Parfitt told the guard that ho had paid for a seat and was determined to find one. “Can’t; full up,” was the man’s retort as the doors slid to. The Pressman was only too glad to escape unscathed.