PLEASURES OF SOLDIERS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 204, 2 October 1914, Page 8

PLEASURES OF SOLDIERS.

STRICT CONTROL WANTED. TOO MUCH LICENSE. [From oar own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, October 1. In the Legislative Council last night the Hon. G. Jones (Otago) asked the Government will take steps to more stringently control the sale of alcoholic liquors to members of the Expeditionary Forces in all localities where they are temporarily stationed, in order that drinking to excess by certain of them may be discontinued, or, if possible, prevented?" "The public must have noticed with sorrow," said Mr Jones, "that a certain number of men in the force had been taking more than was good for them, and had shown the effects in the streets." Whilst he brought the subject forward with regret, he wished to add that on the whole the conduct of the men composing the force had been most admirable. (Hear, hear.) The Hon. H. D. Bell, in said: The matter to which the lion, gentleman has referred has been the subject of anxious consideration by the Government. }He must remember that these men on the transport ships were under the control of the military authorities, It is extremely difficult to refuse the leave that is asked by the young fellows —they have their friends here, and if the leave is granted it must be remembered that the control has ceased. The difficulties of measuring the danger on the one hand and refusing leave to the men to visit their friends, and oil the other of the danger to the men of having the time of leave a{; their dis : posal, must be obvious, but the subject has received, and is receiving, the consideration of the military authorities under whose charge the men are. I want, however, to emphasise the fact that we have no right to interfere with the control of the men now they ara on board the transports. I don't want to be led into a controversy, but it has been too little recognised that discipline is essential, that the discipline now is the discipline of the military authorities and not of the civil authorities. Far tw* much is being heard of grievances which ought to be repre- 1 sented to the military authorities and which are represented by the Press a\s being the fault of the Government. Of course the Government can call . the attention of the military authorities to any; question of the kind, though they cannot control the authorities. It would have been better had the ships during their present detention been at a port other than the port of a large city. For many reasons it was not considered desirable that they should lie here. The men naturally ask for leave, and the leave is difficult to refuse. I hope hon. gentlemen will recognise that, and that the public will recognise it. At the same time the military authorities do \ recognise the duty of so controlling the leave that no undue opportunities: shall be afforded for license. We cannot prevent the men enjoying their liberty when they have the leave, nor can we control them during that time. NEW ZEALAND OFFICERS, EMPLOYMENT IN ENGLAND. v ' Press Association. WELLINGTON, October 1. The following information regarding the employment of New Zealand officers in England six _ weeks ago, or soon after war broke out, has been received) at the Defence headquarters from Major j F. S. Richardson, New Zealand repre? sentative at the War Office, London:— Colonel V. S. Smyth, lately officer commanding the Canterbury military district, has been attached to the southern command. Colonel »E. S. Heard, Imperial General Staff,, lately chief "of the General Staff in the New Zealand Defence Forces, has ,been attached to the War Office. It was expected that his duties would keep him there some little time. Major M. M. Gardner was temporarily attached to the staff of the Coast defences at Harwich. Captain E.; B. Smythe was at the Coast defences on the Tyne. Captain C. W. Melville, being an .Army Reserve officer, had a prospect of being posted to the South Lancashire Regiment, and therefore of going with the Imperial reinforcements to the front. ' Captain F. H. Lampen was assisting at the High Commissioner's office in dealing with the enrolment of New Zealanders in London. Captain R. O. Chesney had a pros- ! pect of being called from the Staff College to the War Office in the meantime, as Major Richardson would be required for other duties than representing New Zealand at the War Office. Lieutenant J. L. H. Turner, son of Colonel C. H. Turner, of the Samoan Expeditionary Force, has been posted to the 43rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, and Lieutenant H. A. Daviesy R.N.Z.A., to the 34th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, both with the expeditionary force. The two officers mentioned, therefore, probably are already serving on the Continent. Major Richardson, in his advice, stated that there were then indications of many New Zealanders in the United Kingdom getting commissions in the British Territorial Forces and special reserve. The arrangements made by New Zealand for the composition and equipment of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, states Major Richardson had met with the full appreciation of the War Office, their forward state being in very large measure due to the visit made by Colonel Allen, Defence Minister, to London last year, and to New Zealand having been Represented at the War Office since the early part of 1912. RED CROSS FUND. ADDITIONAL DONATIONS. The following donations have been received by the St. John Ambulance Association ; and Brigade in order to provide dressings, drugs, medical comforts and clothing for military hospitals at the front:— . • £ s. d. Previously;acknowledged .. 495 .1.2 6 D.E.U.R.' .. 3 3 0 Mrs G. Gerard .. .. ... 25 0 0 M. H. Godby .. ..... 11 0 An Old Nurse 5 0 0 Miss Thurston and Nursing Staff. Ch'Ch Hospital .. 10 3 7 G.P .-. .. 010 0 Total .... .. £540 10 1 The following contributions in kind have been received, in addition to gifts previously acknowledged:—Anonymous, 3 parcels; Mrs Beckett, four nightingales; Miss Archbold, two pairs bed socks, , ■ - j