NEW PLYMOUTH BROTHERHOOD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 284, 4 May 1914, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH BROTHERHOOD.

AN -INTERESTING HOUK.

There was a good attendance, at' the

meeting of the New Plymouth Brotherhood yesterday. Doubtless the fact that Mr. L. M. Isitt, M.P. for Christchurcli South, was expected to deliver ;:n address had something to do with it, for Mr. Isitt has a reputation for platform oratory. The meeting was one of the most interesting and helpful which the Brotherhood has known.

Mr. 11. Okey, M.P., presided, and with him on the 'platform were Messrs h. M . Isiitt and G. W. Forbes, M.P.'si I Mr. Forbes was the first speaker, and I I he made his brief and discursive remarks t on country Jife both pithy and entcr- : I taining. He recounted his' own cxperi- !: Mice on the land, dealt with the hardi ships of the. farmer's life, yet referred J enthusiastically to the compensations of j its freedom and closer communion witfh Nature. He touched on the difficulties I of communication, the lack of a towns- .' man's excitement, but managed to infuse into his audience some of his own liking ! for the country. .He deprecated the I spirit of speculation, which, he said, was sweeping the country from end to' end, [and militating against productive farmjing and home life in the country, and j concluded a bright quarter of an hour (by quoting Banjo Patterson's poem, "in j Defence of the Bush," written in- reply, to the gloomy Lawson strictures. Mr. Isitt then took the platform in his characteristic manner. He was pleased, he said, to have the opportunity of addressing a body famed as far as the South Island as the only Brotherhood with no sectarian fetter or denominational shackle. The meeting in free intercourse of so diverse a body, representing such widely different views. <ou]d not fail to have its effect on social and economical difficulties. Ho then enquired if any reporters were present. Reporters, he remarked, were of course all angels, but angels of different colots. He laughingly referred to the "angel" who characterised his meetings as enthusiastic and his remarks as words of wisdom, with the other who unkindly referred to the sparse attendances accorded to him and the hopeless crudeness of his remarks. He was, lie remarked, about to "kick up his heels in a private paddock," and did not wish his address .„ reported, „He attacked with feaTless-, vigor jjthe jiupdem competitive system in 1 -its, relation to every phase of Jife, dealing delicately yet forcibly wiith sexual matters, and ', addressing (himself' so aijpealingly to his audience of.men that he was enthusiastically applauded, and followed with an interest which, if flattering, was none the less deserved.