CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue XVI, 28 July 1881, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

To THB ESITOS OJ? IMS. *' EvENINO MAH.." Sib,— Truly we live in a wonderful age; what with railways, telegraphs, and other innovations, so person should he surprised at any thing he hears or see now-a-days. Notwithstanding all this it is a pity and much to I be regretted to hear gentlemen decry and almost ridicule that ancient custom of friendly Bociety processions at the opening of their halls and other occasions. If you will allow me a small Bpace in your journal I will endeavor to defend this ancient, noble, and innocent custom. My pea shall not be dipped in either gall or wormwood. First, I believe that a love of show aad finery is inherent in man's nature and however much persons may deride processions, and of course their concomitant regalia, I do not for an instant doubt that this same show has been one of the greatest helps such societies ever possessed. Mr Charles Hardwick, the author of the " Manual for Friendly Societies," an excellent hook and well written, says on the subject, " Public processions and glittering regalia have proved the most cheap and effective method of advertising friendly societies." Again; " all honor to a man wbo seeks to distinguish himself among his brethren what station soever he may happen to fill in this busy and beautiful world of onrs. Why? Because the very desire for distinction is a guarantee for sobriety of behaviour, nobility of sool, and a purpose steadier, higher, and better than is afforded him in ordinary intercourse and avocation," Again, All classes of the community from the Sovereign to the Mayor of a corporate town know, the value of a little state and ceremony. The Queen does not go to open Parliament riding id a private carriage The Lord Mayor of London cannot consent to abolish the show 00 hi? oce great festival day in November. If the highest in the land in the old country esteem it an honor to wear the blue ribbon of the Garter or the Cross, or this, that or the other Knightly- order, what Rie they hot emblems of valour and loyalty, honorable to the wearer and eagerly 'sought after through danger and fierce contention on battle fields, and given as rewards ample and all sufficing, yea, sometimes by right royal hands." Is it to be believed that working men in the colonies as well as in the old country are cot to he influenced to a great degree hy a love of display. We must not be always teaching, we must do something to amuse. The feeling which prompts brave soldiers to display the Victoria Cross and the Crimean medal on their breastß, causes members of Friendly Societies to take pride in the scirf and apron or medal as emblems of their Order. Why should Oddfellows, Foresters, Good Templars, or youthful Bands of Hope be ashamed to parade the streets on the occasion of the opening of a Hall and other holiday times, with banners carried aloft and streamers waving in the wind, music sounding merrily in front, and scores of brothers with scarves, aprons, stars, and medals decorating their Sunday suits, marching after in steady orderly procession. Say what the utilitarians will, these processions are immensely a tti active. These out of door demonstrations should be encouraged rather than condemned. Any person who claims to know men and women as they are muse admit that " pomp and circumstance " have no slight influence in leading their minds from low and grovelling desires. The eye must be pleased, the ear must be charmed, the imagination must be warmed ere the heart be reached, even in matters tbat most nearly concern the temporal welfare of the people, This being the case then— and none can altogether deny the fact — I say we ought rather to encourage than to deter members of Friendly Societies in making all the show they can consistently with a due regard to prudence and economy and a proper expenditure of money subscribed for the day of sickness and want. It has been the custom of most societies, especially where the British flag flies and the English language is spoken to -make a public display by processions, accompanied by bands of music, banners, and so forth, at the laying of tbe foundation stone or tbe opening of a hall. This is commonly followed by a dinner or tea, after which speeches are made explaining the position of the society, while the room is gaily decorated with flags and banners, &c. which had charmed the eyes of the public through tbe day. That the day may be far distant when this praiseworthy custom will cease to exist is the sincere whb Of Nn, Dbspbbandusi. Waimea, July 26, 1881.