THE S.P.U.G.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13891, 23 December 1913, Page 2

THE S.P.U.G.

A Melbourne girl, who for.some time has/lived in. New York, writeslto a Melbourne paper as follows: TBy the time this .reaches you preparations for Christmas will be set out on every side. The same will; be in "evidence here, but under such different conditions: snow, sleet, and dark days, instead of hot weather and sunshine. However, what I want to tell you of is the1 S.P.U.G. These letters stand for 'The Society for the Prevention of Useless Giving,' and the members are called 'Sprigs,' and each wears an enamelled button, with the word 'Spug' -surrounded by a holly wreath. The idea of the society is not to abolish the sentiment of Christmas, which finds its-outlet in present-giving, . but to systematise generosity. For example, in. most of the. places of business, both large and small, in New York^ there is a custom of malting collective presents by the employees to the heads of departments, and the 'hands' are asked how much they will contribute towards these Christmas gifts. The tax is so. general that no one dares to refuse. Then, again, there exists what is called the exchange sj'stem, amon^ the employees, who git-o to a large extent prcfionts, to one another. While I am not sure whether Melbourne shop assistants are taxed in. this way, still I do know tliat hundreds of people give presents simply because they were recipients themselves the years before, and so thoy wearily seek to buy gifts of

equal value,.for fear of being stingy... It is' against this useless .wasto that the 'Spugs'- are campaigning. Theyadvocate giving, and generous giving, but they say, 'Don't make a business o# it; make it an art.' At present there• are signs of the deterioration of Christmas, because the pendulum of presentgiving has swung to the other extreme, and the season has become a. burden to thousands of wage-earning people; ,1 went to a meeting of the society last, and no fewer than 800 people .were enrolled ii-s 'Spugs,' and, aw such, they will hold themselves free from the everlasting demand on thoir purses."