Cartoons and comic strips with a uniquely Australia pub theme featured often in the pages of newspapers in the early half of last century. While the humour probably doesn’t meet the acceptability of today’s standards, with some cringingly politically incorrect, others have an innocence of a less complicated time. These cartoons are, all the same, a glimpse of what was socially the norm for these times. Here is a selection of cartoons relating directly to the hotel industry from newspapers in the first half of last century.

HIS KINDNESS WOULDN’T BE FORGOTTEN.
THE SHEPHERD : “I fear, my friend, that you are taking the
wrong road. Let me put you on the right one.” Fix this text
THE TANKED PERSON (heading for the pub): “Thanksh awfully,
old (hic) man; and when we get there I’ll pay for the
drinksh.
By arrangement with “The Bulletin.”
– The Northern Champion (Taree, NSW) Saturday 12 September 1931.

My dear man, was it craving for drink that brought you here?’
‘Do I look such a blinkin’ mug as to mistake a gaol for a pub?’
Published by arrangement with the Bulletin.
– The Lockhart Review and Oaklands Advertiser Tuesday 16 July 1929.

Estate Agent: “Is there any particular kind of house you’d like ?”
Married Man: “Yes, it’s got t’o be near a pub an’ have no lawn.” – Northern Star (NSW), Monday 1 June 1936.

STRANGER: “‘It’s pretty dry around these parts lately.” OLD-TIMER: ”Dry: Why, mister, there ain’t another pub for 40 miles” – The Land (Sydney) Friday 16 October 1936

“Where’s the, artist?”
“At the pub. He’s goiter go there every ‘arf-hour ter see what ‘is picture looks
like from a distance.”
– South Western Advertiser (Perth) Friday 27 April 1934.

Sorry to ‘ave to leave it, mister, but we just heard the pub’s on fire.”
– Recorder (Port Pirie, SA) Saturday 5 September 1936.

“This short-cut to get us to the pub before the beer runs out
(The Bulletin).
– Recorder (Port Pirie, SA) Monday 22 May 1944.
Categories: cartoon, Temperance
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