“WET” CANTEENS.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7709, 18 April 1916, Page 4

“WET” CANTEENS.

URGED UPON MINISTERS. ALSO EARLIER CLOSING OF BARS. The establishment of wet canteens in military camps and the earlier closing of hotel bars were urged upon the Prime Minister and Minister of Defence by a deputation from the War Necessities Committee. Mr Massey, in the course of his reply, stated that after consulting military authorities, more particularly the two who had most to do with the training of the soldiers, he would not advocate a “wet” canteen. Up to that time his personal opinion had been rather in favor of the suggestion. If he thought that the proposal was a remedy for some of the evils that existed he would support it, but from what lie had learned he was quite sure that it was not. Dealing with the request for earlier closing of hotel bars, Mr Massey said he wished he could show the deputation' some of the police reports on the proposal. A matter t hat would have to be dealt with by Parliament was that which related to certain establishments where liquor was sold, and which it was impossible for the police of this or any other country to suppress. This was a matter which must be dealt with by Parliament. If it was deemed advisable that hotels should close earlier Parliament would be asked to pass the necessary legislation. In conclusion, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that an impression would not get abroad that our soldiers were addicted to drunkenness. (No, no). Mr Massey said that from his own observations he had reason to be proud of the conduct of our New Zealand soldiers. (Hear, hear). He added that restrictions regarding the sale of liquor would be submitted to Parliament with a view to the better control of the liquor Ira Hie during the war, but there would be no discrimination between soldier and civilian. (Hear, hear). The Hon. Mr Allen endorsed the remarks of the Prime Minister in asserting that the adoption of the “wet” canteen principle would be a retrograde step. He said an effort was being made to train men to resist the evils of Egypt, and he did not think it could be done by enforcing conditions which would prevent the men from getting liquor here.