DRINKING IN CAMP.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1436, 10 May 1912, Page 6

DRINKING IN CAMP.

PROHIBITION LEAGUE'S REQUEST. LETTER TO THF, MINISTER, (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Chrisichurch, May D. Tn consequence of the allegations ninilo regarding drunkenness at territorial camps, tho officers of tho Christclnireh Prohibition League have addressed the following letter to tlio Hon. A. 11. .Myers, Minister for Defence:— "Wo are .enclosing a copy of a letter addressed to General Godley in which certain facts are stilted concerning drinking in connection with territorial camps. Via have nn reason to believe that the condition of affairs prevailing at the camps speciiied was any wrrse than that obtaining at other camps. Indeed, knowing the ofiicirs, we have every icason lo bciieve that they were extremely solicitous for the welfare of those under them. Th? fact of the matter is that the camps should not have been placed in tho proximity of hotels. AVhen the Defence Bill was going through she House, your predecessor in nllicc as Defence Minister promised definitely, in reply to .Mr. Xcuniau, that no camp would be established within five miles of an hotel. We think you will agree with us that, apart altogether from the moral aspect, from a military and disciplinary standpoint, tin's is necessary and desirable. In addition to this \\i' wish to urge strongly this aspect of the tiuostiou: That the camps are compulsory, and consist largely of mere boys; that parents are compelled (o send their sons for military training; and that under these conditions they have a light In expect that the utmost care will be taken to preserve from contamination their sons, who are at an age at which few boys have learned fixed principles." In the letter to Genera' Uoilley instances are given, of objectionable eonduct on the part of territorials at Templeton and Kangiora camps, due to drinking. Tho letter concludes: "With regard to. tho camps with which we are more closely associated, ne have brought no charges of extensive 'drunkenness, and wo have recognised that on your own part, and on that of some of the commaiidcng officers, there has been an earnest effort, to stop all drinking, but, our point is that so long as Ihe sites of camps are chosen with disregard (o the promise made by the late Minister for Defence, that mi camp would bo held in close proximity to licensed houses, it is impossible lo prevent a certain amount of drinking, Tho territorial camps do not consist of volunteers, but of young lads whoso parents are compelled by the law to aend their sons for military training. We think we make no extreme demand when we urge that the promise referred to shall be rigidly fulfilled."