LIQUOR IN CAMPS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1440, 15 May 1912, Page 3

LIQUOR IN CAMPS.

RECENT ALLEGATIONS.

GENERAL GODLEI' L\ EEPLY.

In reply to the complaints of the Christchurch Prohibition League concerning Territorial camps which have been held in proximity to hotels, of alleged drunkenness at certain camps, and of alleged objectionable behaviour in certain Territorials at the Teinpleton and liungiora camps, llajor-Geuei-al A. J. Godley, C.ii. (General Ulh'cer Commanding the New Zealand I'orces), isi n statement issued yesterday, thanks tlio ieaguo for tlio information given, and goes on to say:— "It has always lieen my earnest desire that every effort should 1« made io prevent liquor being introduced into camps, and, indeed, the- penalties attached to this misdemeanour are severe. I therefore regret exceedingly to hear of tho scenes you describe. Other Side to be Heard. 'But, on tho other hand, before one delivers judgment on so serious a case, it is necessary to hear what the other sido has to say, for tho allegations on the one side are so wide that we must be careful the zeal which stimulates it may not lead to exaggeration, or be misled by appearances. Besides, we must bear in mind that the good name of regiment 3 is at stake, and" wo must not condemn a very large body of wellbehaved men because of the alleged sins of a few, any more than we should defame a community because there hapr/ens to »e a drunkard in its midst. In "justice, therefore, to the regiments ivlioeo good name is now in question, through the accusation brought against thorn by members of your league, I propose to hold a very strict inquiry in order to establish the truth or otherwise of these accusations, and also that, we may in future Know how to prevent such irregularities, if tho inquiry brings them to light. "I would point out to you that the tiefenro scheme is only in its infancy, and that the difficulties in tho way of the smooth running of tho machine at tho start are great. 'Where large numbers of men are brought together, there may b» a certain numbei who, from want of discipline and habits of self-restraint in the past, take the opportunity of misbehaving in tho manner you describe. I I know that tho officers and non-eorumis-F'ioncd officers, who are concerned with the training of the Territorials in tho camps, do all in their power, by examplo and precept, by lectures and other means, fo instil into the minds of the younjr men under them the necessity for discipline, the physical and moral disabilities that ensue from the drinking of intoxicating liquors, and that the reprehensible habit of usiiij: bad and obsence language must not bo indulged in. I know, also, that in most cases these means are having tho desired effect, and that the behaviour ot tho young men in these respects sensibly improved during the time spent in camp. With these facts in view, and with the soldierly spirit evincing itself among the Territorials, that their acts brinß credit or discredit on the units to which they belong, in other words, a spirit of 'esprit de corps,' and with tho example of the Inrtfft clitss of good men among them, we shall in future have no risk of the alleged regrettable scenes you have described.

"It is my-very strong opinion that if more influence was brought to hear by those- who come in contact with boys and younj; men durim; their daily lives, that much good can ba done to improve them morally, and the assistance that would bo thus rendered to our efforts would bo most valuable. It must be remembered that those responsible for tho

carrying out of the defence scheme have so fni 1 seen only very iitt'o of the young men and boys with whom they haveto deal, that is, during drills, parades, and the annual camp. Camp Neap Hotels. "As regards tho holding of the camps near licensed premises, this has been avoided as much as possible, and stops will bo taken in future to avoid it altogether, having regard to the exigencies of the service. It must be understood that sites arc chosen for camps in localities where ground is available for the purpose; and where means of conveniently getting to and frora them eiist. The question of the cost of transport comes in here, and if camps are- heft! in out-of-the-way places the cost of bringing tho memjogether at such places becomes eicsSsTve. But should it bo impossible to Wold a camp in a locality other than in proximity to licensed premises, with the Experience we now have, adequate steps cVn be taken in future to prevent the mpn from approaching such premises. /'sly sympathies are entirely in accord ■with your views as regards these camps, •but I do hold that our efforts to improve the young men with whom wo have to deal, efforts which I can assure you are very earnest and rtol, could be immensely assisted by sympathisers outside our organisation, who would be willing io give time- and trouble io the improvement of the young men and boys of the Dominion, who will ultimately come into our organisation. '

"Finally. I have to thank you for the evident interest you take in the defence scheme in your drawing my attention to the irregularities you have, mentioned, with a view to their prevention in future, and so rendering our system of universal training/a mental, moral, and physical education in fact as well as in theory, not to mention its important function of preparing the manhood of the Dominion to be ready to take its part in its defence, should such an eventuality ever occur.

"(Signed) A. J, GOBLET."