TREATING SOLDIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 53, 2 March 1916, Page 5

TREATING SOLDIERS.

"A TREASONABLE ACT." .:'"'. MINISTERS' ASSOCIATION'S APPEAL TO THE PRIME' MINISTER. . The Auckland Ministers' Association recently carried, tte following resolution; which was sent'-to the' Prime Minister: "The Auckland Ministers' Association Would call theattention of the Government. ..to the practice* so. prevalent tKrough.out -the "Dominion . of- "treating soldiers to strong drink." This practice is,-in our judgment, rupst ana; is.hurtful to'the military'efficiency of the m.en, so' much _ so' that - we' believe - those who; do .this are, guilty,of treasonable conduct. ' The' miUtary'authorities.have' again, and again appealed to the public to tfefrairi from ireating soldiers. Nevertheless, the objec.'ionable practice; continues; arid its "cvi. consequences arc-in many ways apparent. "We would, therefore, respectfully urge the. Government to fake effective measure to support the appeal of the military authorities against this evil practice. \\e take this action; not because we believe that our. soldiers as a classare specially addicted to drink, but.because we judge that, in the present crisis.it is of national;importance that they, should 1 be specially -protected- We understand that under the Defence of theRealm Act the Government has power to bring into operation regulations to..pro-, hibit under heavy penalties -the treating, of., soldiers to strong drink. We- would strongly. urge the Government to bring such • regulations into operation-withut further delay,; so as to guard our soldiers from serious temptation, and maintain the military efficiency of our men."

The Prime Minister, in acknowledging receipt of the resolution, says:-"I have noted' the representations-contained in the resolution, which will receive the serious consideration oi the Government."