Anti-Treating

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 41, 12 October 1905, Page 2

Anti-Treating

The tongue works a world of ovil. But, so far as accumulated results go, it is pretty nearly at the 4 worst of all its worst worsts ' whon it delivers this sadly familiar 'speech at the bar --' the same again.' In English-speaking countries the treating (or, in Colonial, 'shouting') habit leads whole armies of men to drink— as Sancho Panza drank— when they have not, as when they have occasion, and it is the indirect cause of a vast percentage. of the intemperance that exists among us, and of the world of clamoring evils that lollcfw in its train. Less than four years ago. a wumfber ol zealous, piiests of the diocese of Ferns (Ireland) star lad, under episcopal sanction, St. Patrick's Anti-Treatmg League The three guiding principles of tho League are (1) amti-Ireatang ; (2) the practice of strict temperance by all members; ami (3) the creation of aw cnlwrhbmwl and wholesome public sentiment against intemperance and again.vt the crime of those who lead others into excess in dnnk. Each member pledges himself (among other things) ' neither to give nor to accept a treat.' It is pleasant to learn from a recently published pamphlet by the League's Hon. Secretary (Re.v. J. J. Rossiter)' that the Antl-Treatin^ Crusade is advancing year by year to fresh! conquests. Floieat '—may it flouii&h like the green bay tree ' And may its spiritualised good sense soon got to work to dissipate thoec false ideas of hospitality and good fellowship that, in these new countries asm the old, turn many a promising young man in lot a fuddlocap and make him multiply the stars o' nights {as Queen Whim's officers <lid m Rabelais) " by drinking till mm en are fourteen '—in other words, till he sees* tiaufolc. One of our stipendiary magistrates has -described the treating custom as ' the curse of the country.' And his words are none too strong.