SOLDIERS’ BEER PARADES

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23586, 13 March 1942, Page 6

SOLDIERS’ BEER PARADES

TERRITORIAL CAMP SYSTEM

ALTERNATIVE TO WET CANTEENS

tP.S.SJ AUCKLAND, March 12. A novel method of controlling purchases of beer by soldiers has been adopted in some of the areas where Territorials are on di.ty. Unable to conduct their own wet canteens, and not having any of those established from time to time by the Internal Marketing Division under the control of the Canteens Board, some of the units hold beer parades during a nontraining evening period. Unlike all other Army parades, this one is not compulsory. Attendance is optional, and is restricted to men of 21 and over. Those who parade are in some cases marched to a hotel and are allowed only a limited time in a-specially-selected bar. which is for the use of troops only, and where strict order and control are maintained. Only beer is sold.

One objection against this method which men express in letters is that because the purchase is from the civilian hotel licensee they must pay for his profit. The cost of the beer to the troops is the local price, which may be more than that to which the men have been accustomed. The price may therefore be higher than that charged in the wet canteens established by the Internal Marketing Division.

However, so far as the control of purchases is concerned, the men seem to be well satisfied with the arrangement. They realise that it prevents excesses and avoids incidents which might lead to the Army declaring a certain hotel or hotels out of bounds.