SOLDIERS AND INTOXICANTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3234, 8 March 1916, Page 26

SOLDIERS AND INTOXICANTS.

WELLINGTON, February 29. An important stage in the movement for the early closing of hotel and club bars was reached to-day, when at a meeting of tne Central Executive of the Moderate League, a letter was forwarded to the Minister of Defence, asking for definite official information as to the part indulgence in alcoholic refreshments has played with the Expeditionary Forces. The letter states that the executive considers that the military authorities are the only competent judges as to what regulations should govern soldiers in camp and on leave, and contends that no pressure should be brought to bear on the Government to carry out particular views of sections of the civilian population unless there is obvious neglect of official duty. Replies are asked for on the following definite points: 1. Has there been any material-inefficiency of the Expeditionary Force and Reinforcements now at the front due to drunkenness? 2. Ts drunkenness a material feature of the daily conduct of camps in the dominion? 3. How many men have been discharged from the forces for drunkenness? 4. Has drunkerness been lesponsible for retarding tho training of men? 5. Have soldiers dono anything to their «wn detriment or tho detriment of the civil life of the dominion through indulgence in alcohol when in camp or on leave that would justify a seriouß alteration of tho civil law?