THE RUM ISSUE TO SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3134, 12 July 1917, Page 5

THE RUM ISSUE TO SOLDIERS

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Permit mo to give my opinion regarding the rum itsne, as a, returned soldier. First, let me assure you that I am.confident that tho restriction of civil drinking would decrease the amount of crime, insanity, and poverty, and its limitation'would permit the fumes of liquor to" evaporate from many civilians' 'brains, with tlm result that they would realise there was a war on. But, and its a monster but, don't let the civilian, no matter what his position, dictate what the soldier should drink. In ,yc*jr issuo of to-day I see a letter stating that hot milk or cocoa, coffee, etc., was proved to be far better for the soldier than rum. No soldier will question this, but it shows an utter last of appreciation on the part of the writer as to what the soldier is doing and enduring for his safety. Hot milk, forsooth! Can any from the trenches picture its provision and heating during a nasty moment? Rum is not issued to troops except when conditions aro such as to fully justify its issue. At these, times it is generally impossible to procure any heating liquid of any kind, and even such "artificial heating" fluid is better than nothing. As one who is almost a teetotaller now but wlio has had occasion to feel most grateful for tho rum ration, I would recommend those who write such letters to first "nin actual experience of the conditions. 0 I feel such tjint if the experiment is tried of sitting in a wet and chilly trench for some days the rum ration will be refused by few. I may add that the allowance is mighty small, in fact onlv iu.st enough to be appreciated. \~* **•'<*« . FAIR PLAY'.