HOTEL BARS AND SOLDIERS.

Evening Star, Issue 16051, 1 March 1916, Page 3

HOTEL BARS AND SOLDIERS.

ACTION BY MODERATE LEAGUE. At a meeting of the Central Executive of the Moderate League at Wellington yesterday a letter was forwarded to the Minister of Defence, asking for definite official information as to the part indulgence in alcpholio refreshments had played with the Expeditionary Forces. The letter states that the executive consider that the military authorities are the only competent judges as to what regulations should govern soldiers in camp and on leave, and contends that no pressure should be brough to bear on the Government to carry out particular views of sections of the civilian population unless there is ebvious neglect of official duty. Replies are asked for on the following definite points:

1. Has there been any material inefficiency of the Expeditionary Force and now at the front due to drunkenness? 2. Is drunkenness a material feature of the_ daily conduct of camps in the Dominion? 3. How many men have been discharged from the forces for drunkenness? 4. "Has drunkenness been responsible for retarding the training of .men? 5. Have soldiers done anything to their own detriment or the detriment of the civil life of the Dominion through indulgence in alcohol when in camp or on leave -that would justify a serious alteration of'the civil Jaw T' " G.S.G." sends us 2s 6d—monthly subscription to the Belgian, fun<L_y