RUM FOR TROOPS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2321, 1 December 1914, Page 7

RUM FOR TROOPS

LOKDKITCHENER'S MESSAGE THE ELUSIVE TEETOTALLER. , From the' talk of, the Prohibitionist advocate one would imagine the publio has not got the correct strength of Lord- . Kitciiener's- message to the British troops now serving in France and Belgium.. •. j Lord Kitchener warned the troops against excesses, and said they "may'" find'_.temptations in wino and women, both ;of - whioh, ,ho said,. they were to entirely resist. Into this message the Prohibitionist advocate has read "abstaia from, liquor," well knowing that Lord Kitchener never used these words ,at all; and the Prohibitionists keep on .making, publishing, and believing this inaccuracy..' t , Lord Kitohener no more imposed total .abstinence , upon the trotps than'lie imposed celibacy. ■ Lord Kitchener being a man and a soldier of experience knew something,' but he never meant that all soldiers should be teetotallers and bachelors when he told them to avoid the temptations. named. It is quite in keeping with the unbalanced and fanatical character of the Prohibition advocates that they should seize on one and abjure the other,to suit their purpose. . Lord Kitchener is probably the greatest living Army organiser. He knows what men in arduous occupations require.- JJe knows that a certain quantity of alcoholic liquor is as essential to the health and success" of British soldiers in Europe as an adequato ,supply of clothing, arms, and'ammunition. Consequently large supplies of alcohol are'being provided for our troops now in France and Belgium by the great Field-Marshal.

. ;a first instalment. . Oil October 6 the "Daily Chronicle," of London,,announced.'the dispatch of one hundred and fifty thousand- gallons of rum as.a first instalment of alcoholic supplies , for 'tho British army on, the Continent.''. •'With'timely forethought for the welfare of the British soldiers during tho prospective winter campaign," says the Loudon daily, "the War Uffice has cent to tho front a'consignment of 1501000 gallons of rum." 1 How. does the Prohibition advocate hope to bo believed when he says this is a'teetotal war? It is true the Kaiser has denounced the British soldiers for'drinking spirits anc 1 has attempted to .make his own troops' Prohibitionists like'their; friends and his allies, the Turks, ■ and' look at th© unspeakable atrocities tliese Prohibitionists have perpetrated in cold blood I Are these the examples of ; treachery, cruelty, and immorality New Zealanders should be : induced to emulate? .' 7. • One of . tie. bravest acts in the war— an act that won for Lieutenant Dimmer h» ! done by tho, aid of brandy, and could not have been accomplished by ..that gallant British officer without daily Press, November 24th v If it' were in the. power of 'the Prohibitionist advocate to withhold .tCbis y.C; .it would not be granted because Lieutenant Dimmer, has demonstrated that . this . war is- not a'.teetotal'.war !- And . Prohibitionists want to make it criminal' for you to keep brandy or spirits, .or ale or wine in your house, and it will be so if Prohibition is carried.;,"- ' : . Lord Kitchener ~ adjures , soldiers against. exceVsj.'''andr knowing' (ie.^can ; trust .tliem sen<3s'. ihem as a ..first' instalment 150,000 gallons of rum—"a timely forethought, it is called, "for the welfare of the British soldiers." , -

WHAT DO OTHERS THING OF THIS? Sir Viotor Horsley, a strong advocate of tomperarice, writes to the Lon : don papers on November 10th and says: "It is ridiculous, in view of the enormous quantities of rum ordered for the troops, to speak of its use as medicinal?' ' • Sir J. Crichton Browne wrote on November 15th:—"I am no uncompromising or fanatical opponent of alcohol. I believe it has placed a part in human evolution. It has its social uses, and is an invaluable remedy in certain states of unhealth and disease. I confess I do hot see any objection to the rum ration if the men feel it does them -good." ' . ) Mr. Lloyd George has hinted ,that\the Prohibitionists are continuously evading, taxation and refusing to make contributions to carry on the war: But the British-Chancellor of the Exchequer is after what he calls "the elusive teetotaller." In, his, War Budget speech- the Chancellor said:—"l have been devoting my attention, to the elusive teetotaller. I assure you he is as difficult to catch' 'Emden; but I think I have got' him . now." (Laughter and cheers.) ..-''•And you. can. catch the elusive teetotaller'in New Zealand and beat him, too, by striking out the bottom line on • both ballot' papers on election day.— [Published by arrangement.