The Oamaru Mail FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1916. CANTEEN HUMBUG.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLII, Issue 12822, 14 April 1916, Page 4

The Oamaru Mail FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1916. CANTEEN HUMBUG.

The devotees of Bacehus t are as irrepressible as the Huu—whenever they are knocked down they bounce up like an indiarubber ball. They are as resourceful, too. Having failed to seize the Government citadel by a frontal attack, they are attempting flank movements with an army disguised in uniforms to convey the impression that they are not enemies, but friends. "The "War Necessities Committee" is a good title. It might mean anything. What are "war necessities" is a matter of opinion. For instance, these self-constituted regulators of New Zealand's share of the wars affairs would have "wot" canteens. The officers who have the training of the men do not want them. They view them as an intolerable nuisance and a hindrance to military discipline and efficiency. They have repeatedly and determinedly opposed the introduction of beer and spirits into camp life. No Minister could ignore counsellors who are dispassionate and are clearly influenced bv no. other consideration than the promotion of efficiency and safety. But it was a nice concession—the suggestion of the Wellington War Necessities Committee that the hotels should be closed at 7 o'clock. It is as if they had said: "Give us the wet canteens and the soldiers will get so much liquor that they will not want to enter a hotel bar.*' Besides, it may be premised that it. is much more comfortable, safer, and less conspicuous to have your bed near where you take your fill of intoxicants. "The War Necessities Committee" —modest little flower —has "blushed unseen" till now. As it is in full bloom the public will be able to form an estimate of the perfume it exhales. Is it not redolent of something one has smelt somewhere before:' The same smell prevaded the trail of tire Prussian when he invaded the towns of Belgium and Northern France, and pillaged the cellars and let loose his bestial nature. There was no "wet" canteen there, but there was the essential clement—"fire water"— and that always does the trick, wherever and wTicncver it may be taken. One would think that the "War Necessities Committee" —if it is a necessary Committee—would know that the first requisite of a soldier is to be in full possession of bis faculties, that sobriety is an indispensable condition of self-possession, and that sobriety can only be ensured amongst thousands of soldiers when intoxicants are discountenanced. The Prime Minister and the Minister for Defence were not struck by the ineffable wisdom of the "War' Necessities Committee." They calmly dealt with them as though they were a, nuisance—gave them to understand that "wet" canteens were out of the question, and that the whole matter would bo considered by Parliament. Thus ended another attempt to break through the lines laid down by tho military authorities to protect the soldiers and ensure the safety of the F>mpire.