PROTEST BY THE FARMERS' UNION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXI, Issue 7934, 16 December 1909, Page 4

PROTEST BY THE FARMERS' UNION.

CHRISTCHURCH, December 15: A brief discussion on the subject of canteens m.,military training encampr ments took place at .the meeting of itne executive of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand . Farmers' Union this afternoon, and a resolution condemning the open sale of liquor was carried. : ' • • '• j -,;•■■ -^ The subject was introduced by Mr h . G. Horrell, who said that the matter had been discussed by a great many .other local bodies, and he considered that m the interests of their sons the farmers should take some action also. Hitherto, attendance at military training camps was not compulsory, and there was then not the same reason for objection to the canteen. Now, however, the Government had claimed the right to train the young men of the dominion, and he considered that the people had a right to say ' how their sons should be treated while m camp. He moved—" That m view of the vague utterance of the Premier with reference to liquor m the military camps, we are of opinion that no system will bo satisfactory to New Zealand, parents that does not absolutely prohibit the presence of liquor, save, for medicinal purposes, m military encampments attended by our sons for military training " Mr Horrell explained that this proposal did not imply any reflection upon the Volunteers themselves. bo far as his own knowle* 1— went, the privates were a sober, respectable class .or young men. ■ The motion was seconded by Mr v. W. Leadley and carried.