WET CANTEENS

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15223, 10 March 1915, Page 10

WET CANTEENS

THEIR ESTABLISHMENT AT TRENTHAM URGED. HON. JAMES ALLEN'S REPLY. (PRKSS ASSOCIATION TELEGBAM.) WELLINGTON, March. 9. 'The advisability or otherwise of establishing a wet canteen at Trentham Camp was discussed to-day by a deputation to the Defence Minister (the Hon. James Allen) from the New Zealand Moderate League. The deputation consisted of the executive of the League, headed by the president (Mr A. A. S. Menteath. Mr Menteath said they fully recognised that it wag entirely a matter of military discipline for military experts to ilecide, whether a ' wet canteen in the camp at Trentham would conduce or not to the end which they all had in view, namely, that our men should reach the fighting line in the pink of condition. "The reasons which prompt us to look -with favour on the estaolishment of the canteen in question." Mr Menteath went on - to say, "may be very briefly put: "We hold that the surest way to secure temperance is to accustom the individual to meet the object over which control is to be exercised under tho normal conditions of everyday life. The complete suppression of natural or acquired appetites for limited periods in almost all cases «*UI tend to bring about excess at the time of release. We hold tliis to be largely the cause of excesses indulged in by members of the force when on leave in the city, in those limited instances when their behaviour has called for unfavourable comment. We think the cause of temperance would be advanced by a normal supply of wholesome liquor in camp at proper times and under due regulation. It would, we hold, be far bettor for the morals and health of the men that the consumption of liquor should be under the open supervision and control of the military authorities and officers, than made a matter of concealment and subterfuge."

lv his reply the . Minister said he agreed with the idea that the men should bo made strong enough to resist temptation, not only hero, but when they were away. There were men in the camp strong enough to resi&t temptation, and there were other's as. weak as could l>e. There was one diffi-

culty: tho legislation which prohibited wet canteens at any camp in Now Zealand. He did not want to shelter himself behind that legislation, however. Ho had supported that legislation, and would support it again. He thought that the elimination of the wet canteen

had been of great benefit. He spoke as an officer of twenty years' standing, and he claimed to have some know-

ledge of what had transpired formerly. He spoke too, as a "moderate." He sympathised with the objects of the League. He had tried to see « way of getting round the legislation, and they had tried to bring influences upon the men, such as the prohibition of purchasing bottles at the hotels to get over some of the difficulties. Unless they could shut the public-house doors in Wellington against the men, the wet canteen was going to be of little use as far as he could see. It was true that a wet canteen had been established in Egypt. General Godley had been against it, but such rile liquor was sold that the canteen was established to safeguard the men. If the difficulties which had arisen before the Third Reinforcements went away had continued, he would have very seriously thought of getting round the legislation which prohibited a wet canteen at Trentham. He would be glad to have the deputation's view as to whether the hotels in Wellington should be shut to the soldiers if a wet canteen were established.

Mr Menteath said ho did not think they should "coddle the weaklings." They must expect some excesses, but it was not thp teetotaller who won the battles of the world; it was the largehearted men bent sometimes on pleasure who went to give up their lives for the country: it was the man who sometimes indulged in dissipation who made the best soldier. As to the legislation, it was doubtful whether it was meant to affect the position at Trentham; it applied to Territorial camps, and was meant for such camps when enacted.

Mr Allen: Then, may I take it that yon would oppose placing hotels "in Wellington '"out of bounds" for men in uniform if a wet canteen is established? I want a reasoned opinion. Mr Menteath said he understood that if such a canteen were established the men would be asked to sign a moderate pledge.

Mr AOen: No. they arc being nsV«d to sign such a pledge now; it has nothing to do with a wet canteen. Mr Menteath: I understood it was not Well. I can only say that I would oppose men being treated like children.