UNSEASONABLE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4978, 24 May 1926, Page 4

UNSEASONABLE.

ANZAC SERVICES. RIDING MORALISING HOBBIES. - 1 Everyone, no doubt, has heard the story of the woman who advertised her huusband’s dea,th in this way: “ On January 1, John, beloved husband of May . Deeply regretted. His widow will carry on the plumbing business; at the old address.” 1 have always maintained that this story is. a lie. The incongruous has it's limits, I thought, not tp be overpassed by the 'freakish, the fanatical, or the humourless. But now I am not so sure. For one of the reports of what everyone says was a very eloquent address by Mr Isitt .at the Anzac Day service contains this notable passage :— There should be glorification of moral welfare. r Sentiment was utterly worthless unless action accompanied it, continued Mr Isitt. All should strive to live better lives and to make the world a happier place. Drink w,as a terrible curse in this country. A Voice : I’m for th,at. All might not be Prohibitionists, continued Mr Isitt.

“Hear, hear,” cajne a voice. , The Mayor called 'for order. Mr Isitt dwelt upon the curses of drink and gambling. Any time, Mr Isitt would say, is a good time for a blow at the Demon Rum, and that old writer who, maintained that there wag'a season for everything walked in darkness, He Was right so far as his light would allow, but he lived centuries before Mr Pussyfoot Johnson came .to give America a twefth commandment in the shape 3f the Eighteenth Amendment, There, is'this, however, to be said in excuse of Mr Isitt: for many years, when he has been facing a crqwd', the topic has been Rum, and seeing a crowd before him on Anzac Day he momentarily fell a victim to habit. And so, too, for the matter of that, did the Mayor. Yet I hope that if, jin. future, ‘ Anzac Day addresses are to- be made the vehicle of private fads, those responsible for arranging the- ceremonies will call tenders. There are so many “terrible curses” —from the well-shrimp to the unreformed electoral law—and so many earnest leagues combating them that the completion should be brisk, and brisk competition means money.— “K,” in the Christchurch Press.