SOLDIERS AND LIQUOR

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 55, 6 March 1916, Page 4

SOLDIERS AND LIQUOR

THE MODERATE LEAGUE'S

QUESTIONS

DEFENCE MINISTER'S REPLY.

A letter was addressed' last week, by the Moderate League to the Hon. James Allen, Minister for Defence, in regard to the movement for the early closing of hotel bars during the period of the war. Specific questions were asked the Minister, and Mr. Allen, in a letter to the League, has sent the following reply :— '

"I have received your letter of 29th February, and shall be pleased to place your representations, along with others upon this difficult problem, before the members bf the Cabinet. I can give you my own answers to the various quesions in your letter, but they must be taken only as my own opinions, and for more definite information I shall be pleased to communicate witli the camp, aulhoritieu in the various districts :

(1) J do not think there has been material inefficiency of the Expeditionary Force and Reinforcements now at the front owing to drunkenness. No doubt some have suffered, but the percentage is not large.

(2) Drunkenness does not occur in the camps, as liquor is excluded from the camps. Some men do get drunk when on leave, but I think the number is very much exaggerated, and 1 am -asking for a return in order that definite information on the subject may be forthcoming.

(3) When, I last enquired, three men had been discharged from the Forces for drunkenness since the commencement.

(4) Drunkenness has retarded the training of some of the men, but I think these are comparatively few.' (5) Some soldiers have, through drink, acted to the detriment of their occupation as soldiers, but I tlo not think these are many.

"I have to express my thanks to you for your assurance that the members of the league will support any measures for the well-being and efficiency of the Expeditionary Forces. The problem is a very difficult one, and so far as I am concerned relates not to the man as he is in New' Zealand, but to the soldier during his training, and from the time he leaves us till he comes back again. My effort has been to make of him a self-respecting man, able to resist temptation when it is put in his way. We cannot train all men to this, but I think we have been .very largely successful in pur efforts in New Zealand."