A SLANDER ON SLING CAMP.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 115, 21 May 1918, Page 7

A SLANDER ON SLING CAMP.

NEW ZEALANDERS AND' DRINK

Little Tuapeka is the base in which an important file of evidence has grown regarding New Zealand' soldiers m relation to the wet canteen of Sling Camp. A soldier, professing to write from personal observation, supplied the Tuapeka Times, in December . last year, wtn alarmist allegations about the visible etTects of drink in Sling Camp. lhe Minister of Defence referred, the matter to officers! commanding New- Zealand battalions at that camp. The replies, just received, make an overwhelming refutation of the accuser. Here are some extracts from the official answers: 3rd ((Reserve) Battalion, .Wellington. ■Regiment: "Only one case of drunkenness in this battalion since Ist January, 1918, and only on©-in the previous; 512. months, (This case occurred while a man was on draft leave) There is no excessive drinking in!, the canteen, and there is absolutely no truth in the statements repo.rted--Canterbury 'Regiment: Vitn an ay stfengthof 1200 men in camp, the total number of eases o SS in the battalion last vear (to 3rd January,- 191«> was ±Q - During the past four months there were onlyhvo. Practically all of these cases were caused through drink being obtained out of camp." ,„i-i.,„rl The reports regardng the Auckland and Otago (Regiments are similar A Presbyterian chaplain: _ 1 must protest against the defamation of our soldiers and the alarming of their *ew Zealand friends by the publication ot such mis-leading and therefore pernicious correspondence." .m,,. \. regimental medical officer. Uurine the time I have been attached to the battalion as regimental and medical officer—close on six months— I have never seen a case of drunkenness My position affords me ample opportunity of seeing these conditions (as alleged bv *he contributor <fad the Tuapeka Times) if they exist."