DRINK IN THE CAMPS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23052, 21 June 1940, Page 13

DRINK IN THE CAMPS

* Methodist Church Perturbed LECTURES AND MILK BARS PROPOSED Perturbed at the effect of wet canteens on the men serving in the military forces, the North Canterbury district executive of the Methodist Church, at its bi-monthly meeting, decided to ask the New Zealand Alliance to arrange for lectures on temperance to be given in the camps. The meeting having received reports from the three principal camps in New Zealand, considered that as protests had been of no avail positive action should be taken if possible. One of the measures to 'be considered will be the provision of up-to-date milk bars, similar to those stated to have been installed in Australian camps. The report of the chaplain at -'apakura Camp stated that although he was generally opposed to • the canteens, he could say that the control in • Papakura was excellent. He had not seen one drunken man. The report from Trentham was not considered so satisfactory. Here, it was stated, a number of brawls had been caused through, drink, and the chaplain stated that to his knowledge there had been a number of new recruits to the drinking habit. It was distressing to know that the bar was full during service time. The officers, however, were for the most part sympathetic to his aims. Less official reports from Burnham gave the opinion that it was the younger men who "overdid it.” Members of the executive who had seen service in the last war recalled that lectures had been given in the camps on the physical and moral wellbeing of the men, and that these had proved of great help to many. It was decided to approach the New Zealand Alliance on the subject. The Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt asked if the dry canteens were providing the best possible service for the men and said that in Australia the churches had provided modern milk bars in the camps. The meeting decided to investigate the possibility of doing likewise in New Zealand. ,