CAMP CANTEENS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 685, 9 December 1909, Page 3

CAMP CANTEENS.

TELEGRAM BY THE PRIME MINISTER.; Illy TclcEraDh-Sneclal CorrosDondenU v Auckland,. December 8. The Prime .Minister hns telegraphed as follows in reply to "a ltomucra congregation's protest:—"Your telegram regarding canteens in military encampments to hand. Canteens cannot bo used in any way by anyone under 21 years of age, and by thoso over'that ago only under the control of' the officer in charge of the camp. As tho groat bulk of the territorials proposed under the Defence Bill will bo under 21 years of age, thev are protected in the direction you desire to that extent. Tho only object the Government has js to impose restrictions and to control in preference to allowing individuals to do what they privately think proper. Your representations, nowovcr, will receive careful consideration."

PRESS OPINIONS. Auckland, December 8. Speaking of camp canteens.) the "Herald" states:—Public opinion in this Dominion will certainly insist upoir the "No-Licensing" of canteens in every oncampment instituted under compulsory clauses of the proposed Defence Act. At tho Auckland Uaster encampment there has been "No-Liconso" for years, and wo do not hesitate to say that very few indeed would wish to alter the growing custom even for grown men. 'Tho "Star" also opposes canteens, concluding a' sub-leader on the subject as follows:—The Prime Minister need .hardly expect his National Defence Bill to secure the approval and support.of either the House or the country if he persists in including the canteen as part oi. the equipment of the military camp.

AN ANGLICAN OPINION. (By TeleEranh-l'resa Association.) Christchurch, December 8. A meeting of clergy of the Anglican Church in Christchurch and neighbourhood,; many of whom have had experience in' military, naval, and volunteer forces, was held, in Christchurch to-day,.and the" following resolutions wore passed: (1) That,, while recognising an clement of danger in tho canteen, especially-in regard to the gpunger men, this meeting is of opinion- that the canteen, under strict militarysupervision, will be a lesser evil than, tho illicit bringing of. liquor, into camp, which will almost' certainly prevail if the canteen is suppressed. (2) That this meeting regards the penalty clause in tho new Defence Bill as altogether inadequate, and considers-that the offence of illicit supply of liquor should'bo made a felony. (3) That tho chairman (Bishop Julius), he requested to convey a copy of these resolutions to the Prime Minister. A groat deal of expert opinion was taken and information'given at the meeting, and tho decision was arrived at after considerable discussion.

At 'a ' large' and meeting of the District Union, of tho' Young'. Women's Presbyterian, Bible Class Union of Now Zealand, held on December 7, it was moved, seconded, and carried unanimously: "That thero.be sent to Sir Joseph Ward a most vigorous protest against allowing ' tho introduction of the liquor cauteen into the compulsory military camps, which, would necessarily mean the thrusting of temptation beforo many of our brothers, and other young men of tho Dominion." A copy of the above has been forwarded to the Primo Minister by the.president of the nnion.