The Saving Grace.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XVII, 24 October 1903, Page 15

The Saving Grace.

There was, by the way, an element in the Labour Day procession in Auckland this year which I have never observed in ahy of the Southern centres of population on similar occasions, and that was the element of light comedy. Most of the comedy, by-the-by, was “dark.” but that is a detail—it was there all the same—and in spite of some adverse comments on the "John Canoeing” (as they call it in the West Indies)

which took place. I was rather glad to see it. The saving grace of humour is very great, and though they say it is one of the last things to come in the evolution of a people we New Zealanders seem to be developing ours somewhat early. A long, sober, utilitarian procession is a dull thing to watch, and one welcomed the light comedy touch last week, even though some of it was rather primitive. It struck me as being something quite fresh in a New Zealand procession, and was none the less welcome on that account. If your workingman can “process” with a smiling countenance, and some of him can find the heart to play John Canoe with a black face and motley garments, why, all I can say is that he must be fairly contented with his lot. Which is better—to wateh a march of Chartists, each with a long list of grievances in one hand and a billhook in the other, or to gaze at a light-hearted procession of unionists, where the devices of the arts and crafts are punctuated with the Darktown Fire Brigade, a stage Irishman. Topsy up-to-date. libel on the police force, and similar "get-ups?” The humour displayed en route to the Domain was hardly what one would call subtle, but all the same I should be sorry if it were missing next year, and the reason is not altogether because the firefighters from Darktown made me laugh. + ♦ +