CHARGES DENIED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23000, 30 March 1938, Page 14

CHARGES DENIED

AIR FORCE OFFICERS : ' DRINKING TENDENCIES LONDON, March 23 Allegations of excessive drinking by Royal Air Force officers were made — and rebutted —in the House of Common?, to-day, Mr. Garro-Jones (Labour —North Aberdeen) said during the debate on the Air estimates that unless the drinking tendencies of Royal Air Force officers were watched carefully their nerve and ability would be affected. There had been several unfavourable reports recently, the member stated. 'He recalled the court-martial which followed the striking of a superior officer by an Australian flight-lieuten-ant during a club evening. "I do not suggest prohibition," Mr. Garro-Jones told tlje House, "but I do think that young officers should be discouraged from glorifying in a drink." Mr. A. Hopkinson (Labour —Mossley) said that many youngsters who would make admirable officers were Vo constituted that occasionally they "kicked over the traces." There were numbere of young men the Royal Air Force who went on "a good old blind" once or twice a year. Yet they were none the -worse in health or nerve for it. Every pilot occasionally got "cold feet." One could imagine a young«ter feeling that way, and accepting the advice of an older man, who suggested that he take a tot of whisky. - The youngster would discover that it made him as bold .as brass, and next time he had "cold feet" he would take another -tot. Such a man was no good, and the sooner the Air Force was rid of him the tetter. The Under-Secretary of Air, Lieu-tenant-Colonel Muirlmd, denied that there was any substance for suggestions that the nerve and ability of Royal Air ' Force officers were being affected by promiscuous drinking. Medical officers kept a close watch over the health of Royal Air I* orce pilots,,and any deterioration would be quickly noted.