THE CANTEEN QUESTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16315, 23 February 1915, Page 5

THE CANTEEN QUESTION.

A DIFFICULT PROBLEM. IFeb United fasss Association.)* WELLINGTON, February 22. The sobriety ot the troops who are being trained tor Uio front is a matter waioh is engaging tho earnest attention of the Minister ot jJefence. This suggestion has been made that the most sensible thing to do would be to establisn a military canteen under strict supervision. 'I'hie idea hds been fujly gone- into, and for the meantime has been, abandoned. A technical difficulty stands in the way, inasmuch as section 93 of " The Defence Act, 1909," forbids the sale of any intoxicants in oamp, but, if necessary, the Government could indemnify itself under the war regulations. However, for the present there is no prospect of a "wet" canteen coming; into operation, and every effort is being put forward to induce the men now collected at Trentham to take either the total "K. K." or partial temperance pledge.

Tho "K. K." means the " of Khartoum" patriotic pledge, under which tho soldier undertakes not to take spuitous. liquor during the progress of the war. The partial pledge means that intoxicants are to be partaken of only at meals when, in company out of camp. In no case is "shouting" to be indulged in, and this is generally regarded as the social custom, which causes the most trouble Mr Allen suggests to citizens generally me advisableness of abjuring tho "shouting" habit when they are in the company of soldiers.