THE K. OF K. PLEDGE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2370, 28 January 1915, Page 9

THE K. OF K. PLEDGE

APPEAL BY SALVATION ARMY. The Salvation Army authorities have handed us the following correspondence, which has passed between Commissioner Hodder and the Minister of Defence, the Hon. J. Allen, as they desire to draw attention to the K. of K pledge issued by Lord Kitchener's sister, Mrs. Parker. Not only are soldiers invited to sign this, but the public in general. The Army feel assured that the suggestion will be heartily welcomed by the troopers, both in their own interests and in the interests of the Empire, which is watching with st jealous eye the prowess of our sons in the fighting line. Following is a copy of a letter forwarded by Commissioner Hodder to tho Hon. J. Allen:— "It is no doubt within your knowledge that Lord Kitchener, and others in the Old Country, have been making a strong appeal for temperance—in fact, .total abstinence—among the troops! They have not only appealed to the public generally to refrain from treating tho soldiers, and thus loading them into temptation, but they liavo also made a-strong appear to the soldiers themselves. Mrs. Parker, who is a sister of Lord Kitchener, Lis taken np the matter great energy, and,- as a result of an interview she has had •tvitli Mrs. General Booth, the Salvation Army—in conjunction with other bodies—has taken it up, and is doing what it can to-further'tho cause of temperance among the troops. You will, I believe, pardon my bringing the subject before jour attention, but you will, I am sure in common with many others, feel tliat there is a great need for an appeal such as this to be made here in the Dominion at tie present time. It is a most regrettable fact that a large amount of drinking is' done by the troops during their'visits to Wellington and neighbourhood, and wo of the Salvation Army have felt the appeal made by Lord Kitchener would not bo out of place, but might, on the contrary, be a very great blessing indeed. With this in view,* I propose to make an appeal for temperanco amongst tho men at Trentham working through our chaplain at present stationed at tho camp. Enclosed are proof copies of tho appeal and pledges which we propose, to issue. I should be very glad to know that my proposal has your approval and endorsement, and I shall refrain from doing anything until I hear from yon &n the subject. "P.S.—lf my proposal meets with yonr approval, I should like to publish the correspondence in the daily Press. This would give publicity to the launching of the appeal, and would he of undoubted assistance.". The Hon. J. Allen's reply to 'the above is as under: — "I am in receipt of your letter of January 18. I quite agree with you as to the value of temperance amongst our troops, and shall be glad to do everything' I can to encourage it. I join with you in tho appeal to the public generally to refrain from treating soldiers, and I very sincerely trust that soldiers thomselves will resist the appeals if they are made. I believe there is a certain amount of drinking_ done by troops when they are in Wellington and the neighbourhood, and in some instances I am awaxe that this_ has been excessive and lias led to evil results. For the weakness of a eomparatiye few, it does not seem advisable to do away with leave from the camp altogether. Personally, I do not like signing my own name as a pledge that I will abstain from this and that. Rather would 1 en courage in overy way possible such influences as would lead to strength enough of character in tho individual to resist any temptation without signing a "written * pledge. I am aware that the pledge does help some, and I have no objection to your making an appeal for temperance amongst tho men at Trentham, working through your chaplain at present stationed at camp. I am very grateful to you and others who are doing such good work for us in those camps, and I wish you overy success." Tho nledcte mentioned by Commissioner Sodder is as under:—

APPEAL FROM THE SISTER OF LORD KITCHENER. HELP MY BROTHER BY SIGNING THIS PATRIOTIC PLEDGE. Frances 15. J. Parker. In order thai) I may bo of the greatest service to my country, nnd carry our tho wishes of tho Commandor-in-Cltief at this time of national peril, I promise until tho end of the war to abstain from all intoxicants (except when such are ordered by a doctor), and to oncourago otliors to do tho same.