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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 53, 8 April 1914, Page 6

The United States, once held up to the other nations as the horrible example, bids fair to become a brand plucked from the burning. A new political broom has been sweeping the cobwebs out of the corners, and the " graftj" spiders are hard put for .a nesting place. Certain dances consid-

ered as immorally suggestive Have been censored from the ball programmes. Wall Street is in the throes of reform, the Sherman Law is stinging the trusts, and now naval officers are to be prohibited from indulging in spirituous refreshment at sea, and in houses and clubs within naval yards on shore. This last, on the ground that alcohol is considered by the Secretary of the Navy as bad both for health and discipline. The | cable message that contains the above provision for abstention from strong drinks, adds' naively: "The army is fearful lest it will be treated like the navy." It is truly a drastic step for any Administration to take, and the '' tremendous sensation'' caused is quite understandable. We, afar off, can image the dark grievances hotly discussed over the nth gin sling, and sense the feeling of desperation, akin to mutiny, induced by the last loved cocktail. Speaking seriouslyj there is no doubt as to intoxicants impairing both efficiency and discipline in any enterprise. Champions in all classes of sport or athletics taboo most heartily the use of alcohol prior to their tests, mainly because that while spirits may ! stimulate to abnormal efforts, the reaction is inevitable and often disastrous. And it is only a truism that officers ; cannot fulfil their ordinary responsibilities and make a practice of "nipping" at the same time. The signs are that the world in general is beginning to recognise that temperance pays the biggest dividend in the long run. We can deeply sympathise ' with the gallant naval officers in their sad straits.* To have to descend from a fiery cocktail to a strawberry squash will cause wry faces, but it may be there will be better shooting when the gunboats are banging away at the floating target.