SOLDIERS' HOMECOMING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1628, 3 May 1919, Page 8

SOLDIERS' HOMECOMING.

To the Editor of THE SUN. Sir, —As a result of experience, and by way of protecting .our returned soldiers, the authorities have eaused all liquor bars in the eities to be elose on the arrival of a troopship, as was the case last'"Wednesday., Sir, a few weeks ago I travelled on the Midland express, on any way to Greymouth. There were a number of returned men in the compartment—fine fellows, they looked, and; all sober. At Rakaia, 36 miles out, when the train stopped, a number of them ran across to the hotel there. They evidently had a nip and,returned, three of them carrying a bottle of whisky each. The contents of these was consumed and the empties dropped on the line before reaching Springfield. Here a wagonette, bearing a sign "Springfield Hotel. Retails in time for train/' awaited the train's "arrival." This conveyance "was instantly rushed, and drove off, returning on time, some of the luen bringing a fresh supply of liquor. Before reaching Arthur's Pass the condition of some can be .better imagined .than described. At Otira there is an interval betweenj arrival of the coach' and'train timejust long enough (for those who were fit) to get a further refresher. When we reached Greymouth some of the men were.so intoxicated as to be unable rto recognise" their relatives awaiting to welcome them, and had to be hustled into conveyances out of sight. Can you imagine, sir, the feelings of these parents and sweethearts at such a moment.

A week later a fattier and mother awaited their son, who was returning invalided from France. They had travelled afar to meet him at Grey. When he arrived his condition was such that ho had to be taken straight to Groy Hospital, where he was detained for two weeks, suffering a recovery from delirium tremens. This, sir, is only one instance of what is occurring all over the Dominion. If it is necessary to have Prohibition at one point, why aot protect the returning soldiers from the temptation of excessive drinking till they at least reach their, homes? And not only save the self-respect of the men themselves, but save their relatives from unspeakable disappointment and shame. —I am, etc., FATHER OF SOLDIERS. ritaknia is not on the. Midland line. Possibly our correspondent means Darfleld.— VA, The Sun.]