WET CANTEENS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23486, 25 October 1939, Page 11

WET CANTEENS

PRESBYTERIAN OPPOSITION LAST WAR EXPERIENCE RESTRICTIONS IN ENGLAND As authorised by the Auckland Presbytery at its last meeting, its public questions committee has prepared a statement on the subject of wet canteens in military camps. The statement begins by calling attention to the fact that a very extensive experience throughout 1911-1918 is available for instruction and guidance on this subject. "Soon after the outbreak of the war," continues the statement, "it became evident in Britain that something would have to be done about excessive drinking in the naval, and military forces, and among munition and dock workers." Various measures taken in England to control the liquor traffic durinc the war, and also action taken by the British Army authorities in France, are reviewed. , "Many things have changed „ since 1914, but alcohol still- remains the deadly enemy of national efficiency it has ever been," the statement continues. "The less drink there is in the Army, the more effective it will be as a fighting force. In view of the necessity of reaching the highest efficiency in the national war effort, the Presbytery opposes the introduction of the wet canteen into military camps, and urges a much more rigid control or the liquor traffic along the lines of the British measures during the last war, namely: —Reduction of the hours of sale, lowered alcoholic content or beverages, refraining from treating-' " '