NEEDLESS ALARM

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2485, 11 June 1915, Page 7

NEEDLESS ALARM

CONCERNING HOSPITAL SHIP LIQUOR SUPPLIES FOR MEDICINAL USE ONLY (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent,) Christohurcli, Juno 8. The action of the Government in calling for tenders for stocking the Hospital Ship with a large quantity of liquor was discussed at tbo meoting of the Cbristchurch Presbytery to-day. The Rev. T. Miller said it must have been a cause of sincere vocation to all Christian-minded people and lo the parents and relatives ot our vuen to learn that the- Hospital Ship, which should be a haven of refugo to tho wounded, was to be turned to such use, and the means prostituted to such a purpose. Ho used the term advisedly. Was it that the doctors, who knew full well the evil effects were to be tho dispensers of intoxicating liquors? It meant that the man who had faced the real perils of the battlefield were to be subjected to moral perils by thoso Who should take care of them and protect them. He moved: "That in view of the disfavour with which intoxicating liquor is now generally regarded by surgeons, in the interests of their patients; and in view of the splendid example of His Majesty tho King and of Lord Kitchener, the Minister of War,and in the best interests of the moral well-being' of the young men who have given' themselves to fight the battles of the Empire, the Presbytery Tegards with, great alarm and disfavour the purpope of the Government to provide spirituous drink (and that in abnormal quantity) for tho Hospital Ship, which has been provided by tho Government "and by the freewill offerings of tho people of our Dominion." It was stated that tenders had been called for a large quantity of liquor and a comparatively small quantity of food. The Rov. J. J. Bates and the Rev. F. Rule also strongly supported these views. The motion was carried unanimously. THE DEFENCE MINISTER'S REPLY. "I know all about this," said the Minister of Defence when the matter was brought under his notice. "These people have got a wrou" impression into their miuds. As far as I know, although there has been no definite decision on the matter yet, the Hospital Ship will be a 'dry' ship. By that I mean that the staff will comply with the conditions that are laid down for our train-' ing camps, and no alcoholic liquor will be supplied to them except at the command of a doctor. But it-is necessary that wo should stock that ship with a. certain amount of stimulants which may be required for medical purposes, ana the stock of stimulants that is being placed upon the ship is simply for medical purposes. It may be that, the quantity seems large. I don't know what the quantity is, but I do know this, that_ it is simply to make provision for six or twelve months' service, and _ that it is for patients only. The medical man in charge of the ship says he ought to have a certain, amount of alcoholic stimulant on board. I presume that it is needed in certain cases for wounded men. If a man's life were . lost on the ship because he could not be kept alive for the time being with brandy or something of that 6ort that the doctor had recommended should be in the ship's stores, I should not like to be the man responsible for the death by refusing now to allow stimulants to go on board the ship."