John Gorevan

The Harrassed Publican

This cartoon was published in the National Guardian in 1912. The drawing represents how all of the publicans at that time were feeling because of the increases in taxes/legistlation from the Government against them as well as the Temperance movement that threatned their livelyhoods.

The Web of Ruin

This cartoon was published in the National Guardian in 1911. This drawing depicts the ‘Radical Government’ holding ‘The Trade’, ‘Lords’, ‘Medical Profession’ and ‘Insurance Companies’ in it’s the web. What do you think this one represents? Leave your comments below.

Coronation 1911

This was also published in the National Guardian in 1911 for the Coronation. The drawing shows King George V, Queen Mary and the Prince of Wales.

The Spoilers 1911

This cartoon from the National Guardian has the caption ‘The People to M.P.’s: “If we pay for your services, by the rood, we mean to have our money’s worth.”‘

His Little Wrongs

This drawing entitled ‘His Little Wrongs’ shows the former Prime Minister H. H. Asquith on a cliff with 4 spears pointing at him. The spears have tags that say ‘Home Rule’, ‘Budget’, ‘Tariff Reform’ and ‘Labour Demand’

The caption at the bottom says ‘Mr Asquith – “Reckon I just better go on until I can’t get any further, then —–!”‘

A True Prophet

This cartoon has the caption “Mr. Churchill, in an Election Address in 1900, said that the Radical Government would attack the House of Lords and plunge the country into a furious struggle which would injure trade and hinder social reform.

The St Stephen Witches:- ” Trouble, trouble, boil and bubble,
The Lords burn, and trade muddle.”

Taking it out of us

This cartoon depicts the ‘taxpayer’ filling another ‘bucket’ with the caption ” THE TAXPAYER – Now that their beastly little can won’t hold anything. they’ve brought a bucket. I can’t stand much more of it.”

The Buckets read Navy, Army, Old Age Pension and Payment of Members. The can that they quote says Osborne Judgement. The Osborne Judgement which the House of Lords delivered on 21 December 1909, was a landmark legal ruling. It held that the law did not allow trade unions to collect a levy for political purposes, specifically, to fund the infant Labour Party’s organisational and electoral efforts. (Read more about the Osborne Judgement from the history and policy website)

The Bubble

Here we have a bubble being blown from a bowl with ‘Socialism’ written on it. There is a king sitting on top of the bubble that has the word ‘Veto’ in the middle of the bubble.

There is a caption that says ‘What will happen when it bursts?’

Giving His Friend a Rise

Another cartoon that is a dig at the Temperance with barrels of ‘Best Government Veto Powder’.

The Club Evil

Workmens clubs (like bowling clubs that sold alcohol) were opening up with very little rules and pressure from the government, whereas the pubs of the country were being constantly ‘attacked’ from all angles.

The Man in the Street – “What! another house shut!”
The Man in the Door – “What, of! Yes, mate, and another club open.”

How Long? – 1911

John – “This is not doing my constitution a bit o’ good, Herbert, my boy.”

Thawing – 1910

A lot of these cartoons and drawing will have lost their meaning over time, but if I was to take a guess, I would imagine that this was another dig at the temperance and the majority of the government pole wasn’t quite what they were hoping for.

Mr. Asquith:- “Humph! Hoped to take back a better show than this.”

Help! Help! – 1910

This image shows a man hanging on to the mast of a ship that is sinking. The man is shown wearing a union jack and the name John Bull. John Bull was a national personification of people from England and the UK in general.

The mast has the words ‘Liberal Government’, ‘Home Rule’, ‘Labour Question’. ‘Budget’, and Veto written on it and the caption of the cartoon says:

An appeal to all who have their country’s welfare at heart.

The Avalanche Begins

In this cartoon we see Lloyd George, who was the president of the board of trade at this time, then going on to become the Prime Minister in 1916. We also see a snowball that has ‘4,000,000 surplus licence duties’ written on it.

Lloyd George’s snowball. – Destructive and ever-increasing. – Leaving the country wrecked. – A rolling Terror to a sore-wrought people.

Impending Danger – 1910

This drawing shows an automobile with ‘General Election’ driving very fast towards three bills that say ‘Army & Navy’, ‘Labour Question’ and ‘Lord’s Veto’

It is reckoned that a General Election may be upon us at any moment.

Jilted – 1910

This drawing shows a couple hiding behind a fence with a baton that has the words ‘The Trade’ written on it. The woman’s dress has ‘Unjust Taxation’ on it.

The couple is looking to attack another couple that represents ‘Home Rule’.

The dissatisfaction with Mr. Redmond’s Policy is being focussed at meetings of Trade organisations, and there is abundant evidence that the Irish Leader – in the words of one of the dissentients – is “In for a hot time.”

The Only Way – 1910

This cartoon shows a frustrated publican sitting on a chair with bills scattered on the floor while a customer waits for a drink. A Man with a sash with ‘Trade Organisation’ points up to a clash of ‘Spoliation’ and ‘Fair Play’ with ‘Election’ just on the horizon.

Come To Heel

After a certain amount of whistling from his master (Redmond), creeping and cringing Asquith comes to heel.

A Cheery Heart is a Purse Well Lined

When Britain was doomed
By The Great Liar Party
By Laughter consumed
Was this gentleman hearty;

For he knew when the People
Should give their awards
(See the frown on the steeple!)
They’d side with the Lords.

Tragedy – Not Statecraft – 1909

A Cartoon from the National Guardian in 1909 showing how they feel that the licencing trade is being thrown to the tigers because of the budget.

“To the Tigers! To the Tigers!”

Juiced – 1909

This image shows Lloyd George squeezing the juice from a lemon that has ‘Trade’ written on it.

Chef Lloyd George – “This is simply the very juice” (Deuce)

The Logic of the Children Act – 1909

The Children Act prevented kids under the age of 14 to be able to go into pubs unless there was a section that wasn’t ‘the bar’. It was very vague, but the Government weren’t supporting the pubs by ensuring that they would be allowed to make alterations to their premises to comply with the new law.

How many of you were papped out the front of the pub and told to wait while your dad went in for a quick pint?

The Government are not going to take any steps to ensure that the Justices will give facilities to Licence-holders to make structural alterations for the accommodation of children, in order to comply with the Act

Get Well Over the Net – 1909

‘The Budget’ that was introduced was a very big blow to the licenced trade at the time. This basically meant that there would be a MASSIVE tax increase to alcohol and that prices would need to skyrocket to try and cope. Before this, profit margins were only around 30-odd%, so this would devastate the industry if there wasn’t an organised increase in drinks.

Some pubs decided that it wasn’t going to put prices up at this time as the budget wasn’t in force quite yet, but this caused quite a lot of friction in the trade.

Trade to Partner – “If you will serve on the net we shall be hopelessly beaten. Play the game”

The Fallen Star – 1909

ME – John Bull of former greatness – now asked to play the Ridiculous Child

This one isn’t really pub related I’m afraid, but I thought you might like to see some of these images from the Scotland National Exhibition in 1911 that I found. There are some photos that you might recognise or bring back some memories. If you do recognise any of the locations or have any stories, please let us know in the comments below.