SOLDIERS AND DRINK

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2392, 23 February 1915, Page 7

SOLDIERS AND DRINK

% PARTIAL PLEDGE APPROVED.

The problem of dealing with th© cases of excessive indulgence in alcoholic li- ! quor by some members of the Expedi- j tionary Force, while in training at Irentham. haS been exercising, the Defence ) authorities for somo time, and many methods have been proposed. To 'a : Dominion reporter yesterday the Minister of Defence (the_ Hon. Jas. Allen) stated, that the conditions were Better, now than .they had been; and he was hopeful that excessive drinking would be stopped. Representations had been made to him that a wet canteen should be established at Trentham, but he did not 'want to go that far. Mr. Allen stated that the Salvation Army , officers and others were doing good work at the camp in getting the soldiers to sign the "K.K." pledge, originated by Mrs. Parker, the sister of Lord .Kitchener. That pledge provided for .abstinence from liquor during the currency of the war. To further meet the case, pointed out Mr. Allen, he had given his consent to anothor pledge, to be known as the "partial pledge." This would suit men who did not wish to become total abstainers, but were yet willingto meet the authorities, and do something r.'uring the fcimo they were enrolled under the Defence Department. This new form provides that the man who signs pledges' not to drink other than at meal times when in town, not to bny drink for other soldiers, and not to have drink bought for him. One of its great effects wil be that it will do away with the "shouting" system. He understood that Ladv Stout and Dr. Platts-Mills were going out to the camp to address the men. in an endeavour to get them to sign this pledge. . "The condition how," said Mr. Allen, "is better than it was, but wo are making still further endeavours to improve it. We are going to ask the public to help us also, and, if we can, get them to sign a-pledge that they will not ask a soldier to have a drink in a public-house. Representations have, been .made to have a wet canteen at Trentham. but I am not prepared to establish that at present. I want to see if we cannot got on without it." Mr.: Allen pointed out that while under the Defence Act it was illegal to have liquor in camps, yet if the need for a wot canteen became apparent,' that obstacle could be got over. The, approval of the Minister to the new partial pledge means that there will bo three pledges in circulation at tho camp—the total abstinence pledge, the "K.K." pledge, for operation only during tho currency, of service, and the new pledge. It expected that a large number will sign either one or tho other, and tho last-named is likelj tc* >te©>Eulai4