ROTARY CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20960, 25 August 1931, Page 11

ROTARY CLUB.

national humour. ADDRESS BY MR. J. W. SHAW. There was a large gathering at the weekly luncheon of the Auckland Rotary Club, held in Milne and Chovce's Reception Hall yesterday. The president, Mr. H. T. Goldie, presided. A succession of delightful anecdotes marked an address on the humour of different countries given by Mr. J. W. Shaw, lecturer in English at the Auckland Training College. In distinguishing wit from humour, Mr. Shaw said wit was mental agility and was common to all nations, whereas humour was not a product of the head, and it was influenced bv environment.

"Examples of the typical humour of the Scot, the Irishman, the American and the Englishman were quoted by the speaker. He said Scottish humour was marked by a slow-moving mind, a distinct caution and a tenacity of purpose. Exactly opposite was the Irish mind, which moved quickly and was humorous through the too liberal association of ideas. American humour lay chiefly in over-statement, although there was sometimes a dryness which wis akin to that of Scotland. Distinct humours in America were also that of the negro of a spiritual leaning, and of • the Jewish-American. The English humour was difficult to classify, and was shown chiefly at such gatherings as election meetings.