SOLDIERS AND DRINK.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14635, 13 February 1918, Page 12

SOLDIERS AND DRINK.

Melbourne, Feb. 12

In his report to the committee inqtiring into the sale of intoxicants to soldiers, Brigadier-General Williams, Victorian Commandant, states that 6 o'clock closing reduced disorder amongst soldiers, although they still obtaired drink after that hour. Referring to .venereal djsease, he states that only from 3 to 4 per cent, of the cases are dv© to drink. Between 60 and 70 per cent of tie soldiers are* either teetotallers or distinctly temperate. Only a very small percentage of absentees at embarkation were due to drink.

Other evidence showed that drink was only affecting a very small percer.tage of the troops before and after their return from the front.