SAVING GRACE OF HUMOUR

Southland Times, Issue 24114, 1 May 1940, Page 4

SAVING GRACE OF HUMOUR

ADDRESS GIVEN TO ROTARY CLUB A liberal fund of anecdotes was drawn on by the Rev. Hugh Graham in an address on humour at the weekly luncheon of the Invercargill Rotary Club yesterday. A succession of stories kept the Rotarians laughing throughout the address which was described as one of the brightest delivered to the club.

Life was a mingling of joy and sorrow and there was a place for the saving grace of humour. The gift of laughter was one of the most precious a person could have, Mr Graham said. A laughing man was a public benefactor. He carried a germ of happiness with him. No one wanted to be classed as a “dull dog.” There were a time and a place for laughter, but in some circumstances humour would be an affliction. An ear and eye for the comedy of life would sustain anyone through trying circumstances. With all its tragedies the world was very funny, there was no person without some peculiarity which would raise a smile to those who could notice it. The person who could laugh at himself was the true humorist. The stories about the parsimonious Scots were legion and the Scots appeared able to enjoy them as much as persons of other countries. To live without humour was to be dead-to the best in life. If the gift of humour was developed it would enable the person to observe many bright incidents which would otherwise pass unnoticed, Mr Graham said.