WET CANTEENS.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2747, 15 April 1916, Page 12

WET CANTEENS.

Sir,—Enclosed is a copy of a- letter received from a retired imperial Army officer, which may bo of interest to the readers of your paper who approve of wet canteens being established in Expeditionary Force camps. Mr. Allen's attitude towards this .movement seems more tyrannical than logical. He states that his ambition is to send our soldiers away from these shores strong enough to resist any temptation to drink that may assail them; but trying to keep them on_ tho dry canteen, and then letting thetn go off to the attractions, of the hotels while on leave, is. not the way to realise his ambition, seeing that the men. come under the wet canteen system when they go abroad. It is childish -to assume that tho majority of those men in khaki never tasted beer before they went to camp. If there aro any, they are men who would Jiever be tempted to drink beer even if it formed part of the daily rations. To attempt to seclude men from the sight of others procuring a glass of beer in camp is not the way to make them strong "enough to resist taking it themselves. Before I a man reaches military age it is prettycertain that he has tasted beer, and made up his mind whether he likes tt or prefers the lemonade and ot-hoi fizzy drinks. If lie is used to it, it won't hurt him to have'it in moderation aiid under strict supervision. If Tie is not m the habit or taking it, it will make no difference to him whethei it is there or not. And it is not thd moderate use of beer which causes all tho trouble when there aro numbers of men on leave in town, but the poisonous stuff sold by some unscrupulous vendors, who have an interest in making men muddled enough to go on spending tlieir money in the bars. Therefore close the bars earlier, give the men their beer in camp, and thon curtail the'too-generous leave which is -so unnecessary while men are in serious training. .Mr. Massey's suggestion that "it is better to put up with the ills we have than fly to others we know not of" shows that the powers that be would rather drop the problem than grapple with it, and try the experiment asked for. —I am, etc., TRY IT. [Dear Sir,—After my experiences extending through nearly thirty years in all parts of the Empire—British Isles, South Africa, Egypt, and India, I am' convinced that wet canteens aro for the good' Welfare <J the soldier, provided • discipline is maintained in the camps. During tlio early campaign in South Africa it was very difficult to get any liquor whatever except the ordinaryKaffir beer, called "itchannala," but when troops were located in a standing camp, wet canteens were always established. Even far up country, when Kaffir huts were built for tho use of troops, one was always built for the canteen, and this kept the 'nien from visiting stores to obtain the vile liquor called ("fix bayonets") Capo brandy. Egypt: Canteens' were always established, and are now, '-which has the effect of keeping men away_ from tha bazaar; where the liquor is vile. -India: Wet canteens • are established in all barracks and camps, and-answer' . well. With reference to the I wish to point out that in establishing wet canteens in England, Africa,, and In- - dia, the military authorities are con- ■ vinced that it is for the good of the men in every way. ' The largest military canteen is in Aldorshot (called thd "Tin House"), and here the troopsartillery, cavalry, .infantry, and other branches of the service—assembled to i have a drink and a smoko 'after their i day's work—result, good beer at a i reasonable price v (no spirits are sold), ! discipline is not relaxed, and sand- . wiclies and bread and cheese are avail- . able. This keeps the men in barracks away from the town, where the liquor ■ and mixing up with bad company is avoided, and 1 can assure you that it is appreciated by the soldiers, .who enjoyed a good old smoko and good liquor. Smoking concerts are held every night uhder the supervision of a n.c.o. . Mode of conducting canteens: A canteen committee is appointed, the presias a rule, is a major, and all liquor (beer only) is tested before being purchased. This is done, by a beer-testing committee. Canteen opens at certain liours, viz., 12 to 2 p.m., and fi to 9.30 p.m.; tobacco, cigarettes, bread, and cheese, and sandwiches are supplied. No one is allowed to stand at the bar, and drink, and no beer is to leave the canteen. A n.c.o. is alwaj's on duty to keop order. I may state that after nearly twenty years in India —and without fear of contradiction—that the men who drink in moderation come out of the country fit. ' I have known men who, after

being total abstainers for some time (and when there is a" scare of cholera or fever), alter their opinions, and take their liquor in moderation. lam sure that if canteens were established

in Now Zealand, and under proper control, and with a good liquor supplied (beer only), and passed _by a committee, it will have a beneficial result in the men in this way:—(a) They will be kept lin camp ; receive good beer at a reasonable price. - (b) Be kepi away from the township, and stop "shouting." (c) Men will get to lied earlj', and rise early, feeling more fit than they would if visiting tho townships and taking bad liquor. Smoking concerts would be held • every night and other entertainments, and if men wore kept amused in camp, then they will be reluctant to leave tho same. I tmst this will give you a good idea of tho wot canteen, and I regret I am not nearer to bo > ablo' to talk the matter over.] . ;