TROOPERS AND TEMPERANCE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 86, 8 October 1914, Page 2

TROOPERS AND TEMPERANCE

TO THIS EDITOR. Sir,— Your sub-editorial note is much to be commended, _ I quite agree with you that it is mistaken kindness to "treat" to over-indulgence in liquor tho men who have volunteered for the front. And I am sure The Post is actuated by the best spirit of tolerance and teni' porance when it blames the present method of dealing with the soldiers of the King, and suggests that "a better means of giving any stimulants to which the young men may feel they have a right' should be found than the peculiar system which permits such conspicuous processions from one hotel to another." In Great Britain and the Continent, and, indeed, in all garrison towns, the military authorities make provision for a reasonable use of alcoholic drinks, under strict supervision of tho military authorities themselves. What is the result? There are no "conspicuous processions from one hotel to another," as The Post points out. The soldiers have their canteens, and the men have no occasion to indulge to excess and take part in "conspicuous processions." In New Zealand tho authorities yielded to some noisy clamour, and against their better judgment, to the institution of "dry" canteens in territorial camps, and tho result has been the undermining of character and tile surreptitious introduction of alcoholic liquors into camp. Now we have "dry" canteens forced upon our soldiers, and the men knowing that even moderation, their usual dinner beer, is to be denied to them, they are inclined to be over indulgent. Enforced temperance has always this effect; and I hope the military authorities will see to -it that the suggestion of The Post is given effect to. — I am, etc., TOLERANCE. 7th October, 1914.