EARLY CLOSING OF LIQUOR BARS
MR. ALLEN REPLIES TO THE MODERATE LEAGUE
UNOFFICIAL OPINIONS
A DIFFICULT PROBLEM
Last week tlie Moderate League addressed a letter to the Hon. James Allen, -Minister nf Defence, on tlie subject of the movement for the early closing of liquor bars during war time, and inter alia submitted for reply the following questions:-- > . . 1. Has there been any material inefficiency of the Expeditionary Force and Reinforcements, now at the front, due to drunkenness? 2. Is drunkenness a material feature of'tlio daily conduct of tlio camps in the Dominion? 3 How many men have been discharged from jhe Forces for drunkenliess? < , 4 Has drunkenness been responsible for retarding the training of the men? 5. Have the soldiers done anything to their own detriment or the detriment of the civil life of the Dominion through indulgence in alcohol, when m camp or on leave, that would justify a serious'alteration or our civil . Minister's "Own Personal Opinions." The Minister has now replied to the league as follows:— "I'have received your letter of tebruary 29. and shall be pleased to place your' representations, along with others upon this difficult problem, before the members of the Cabinet. 1 can give vmi mv own answers to the various Questions in your letter, but.they must be taken only as my own opinions, and for more definite information I shall bo pleased to communicate with the camp authorities in the . various dis. tricts. (1) Ido not think there has been - material ineflicicncy of the Expeditionary Force and Reinforcements now at the front owing to drunkenness No doubt 1 some have suffered, hut the percentage is not large. (2) Drunkenness does not occur in the camps, as liqnor is excluded from tlie camps. Some men do pot ■ drunk when on leave, but I think the number is very; much exaggerated, and 1 am asking for a return in order that definite information on the subject may be forthcoming. . . (3) When I Inst inquired, three men had been discharged from the Forces for drunkenness since the commencement. (4) (Drunkenness has retarded the training of some of /the inen, hut I think'these are oomparativelv few. (5} Some soldiers have, through drink, acted to the detriment of their occupation as soldiers, but I do no think these are many. "I have to express my thanks to you for your assurance that the members of the league will support any measures for the well-being and efficiency of tlio Expeditionary Forces. The problem is a very difficult one, and so far,as lam concerned relates.not to the lifan us he is in New Zealand, hut to the soldier during his training, and from the time he leaves us till lie comes back again. Mv effort has been to make of him a self-respecting man, able resist temptation when it is put in his way We cnunot train all insn, to this, but I . think we have been very largely successful in our efforts in Now Zealand. "Yours faithfully. "J. ALIEN." PUBLIC OPINION WET CANTEENS. .1 (To the Editor.) Sir, —Tlie resolution of the New Zealand Prohibition Alliance published in this morning's paper, says 'that wet canteens are opposed to military dissipline and efficiency. How these people can get anyone to follow them when tiicy make such assertions beats me 'completely. Who knows best in this matter? Tlie Imperial military authorities, who liavo wet canteens established for all the troops under their direction v/hereter congregated—or the Prohibition Alliance of New Zealand? If the Alliance is to be believed, then our Im,porial Government and British Military Directors are deliberately playing into the hands of the enemy. What utter rot! Lei us havo wet canteens here. It. will make for greater temperance with our already temperate soldiers, and their money can bo spent for their own regimental purposes instead of swelling the hanking accounts of the publicans.—l am, etc., COMMON SENSE. CLOSING OF HOTEL BARS By Telegraph—Press Association-rOopyright Melbourne, March 4. A' d'eputation from the, Sydney Labour Council asked Senator Pearce (Federal Defence Minister) to extend the early closing order to 9.30, owing to the dismissal of two hundred employees. Senator Pearce said he sympathised with the employees, but there was ample justification for closing at 8 o'clock.
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Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2712, 6 March 1916, Page 6
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705EARLY CLOSING OF LIQUOR BARS Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2712, 6 March 1916, Page 6
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