"DYING FOR A BOOZE"

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 55, 6 March 1916, Page 2

"DYING FOR A BOOZE"

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —This' is not an elegant, but is certainly a very expressive heading Tho words are those of a young fellow in khaki who bailed me up in the middle of a Wellington street yesterday begging for money. "Me and my mate," said he, jerking his thumb in the direction of the footpath, where his chum was assisting a telegraph pole to stand straight, "are dying for a booze." Honest, admittedly; so honest that I felt in duty bound to give the beggar a- word of counsel and rebuke instead of half-a---crown, especially as he looked the worse for the booze he had recently indulged in. I am. not going to make a long story of this, nor am I asking people to suppose that a large percentage of our young soldiers are degrading themselves in the manner above indicated. By far the greater majority of them are a credit to themselves and 'to any country. But it is undeniable that only too many fall under the liquid curse whilst wandering about VVellington and other places on leave, either because of weak character, or the craving already- possessing them, or tho wicked kindness of people who will persist in shouting for them at the nearest bar. Not long since a young soldier—a stranger here—visited Wellington, and on reaching his relative's residence exclaimed, "Thank God, I have this house to get into! I have been in town only an hour, and have five times been begged by total strangers to go into a publichouse."

It may be quite true in a literal sense, that you cannot make people "sober by Act of Parliament"—the favourite aphoristic apology of the drinkers of the community. There are laws older 'than any Acts of Parliament. "Thou shalt not steal," "Thou shalt not kill." Unhappily these do not prevent degenerates committing theft or murder. But Acts of Parliament and legal codes provide remedies and punishments. And it is more than high time for this liquor business to be dealt with in vigorous and drastic fashion for the benefit of the community, tho credit of our land and the lasting good of those who go forward to fight the Empire's, tremendous battle. The men for valiant service in this or any other magnificent way—the men of courage, virility, endurance, and .resource—the men who, marching the groat, thoroughfares of London as fine specimens of colonial manhood of whom the whole Empire will be still prouder when they take" part in this procession of triumph—are not those who are "dying- for a booze" or whose pockets budge with' bottles of beer. There are too many of this sort .about' here, and they and all those who make it easy for them to muddle away their brains should be brought sharply to book. New Zealand often boasts that it leads

the world in legislation. It is far behind this time ; and this time it is something worth while! Russia, and France long ago took steps to banish strong drink from their armies. King George himself early in the war set a practical personal example in this matter. Let all who have the privilege of singing our National Anthem follow it, and make an end of the reproach which is upon us.— I am, etc..

BRITTICUS. Wellington., sth March, 1916.