SOLDIERS AND LIQUOR.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4860, 3 August 1925, Page 2

SOLDIERS AND LIQUOR.

Sir, —As one who spent a few years on the other side I should like to add a little to what has already been said concerning Mr E. Edwards’ criticism of his fighting mates. First, permit me to remark that my humble opinion is that the said Mr Edwards must have reached his last ditch and become seriously short of the recognised issue ofi ammunition when he had to fall back upon—well, such a questionable assertion. With what "Two Years’ Active Service” has to say about the drinkers I agree. No one with a knowledge of the facts would for one moment claim that the "clinks” and the "sick parades” were well patronised by men possessed ot a full knowledge of their every actions due of course to non-indulgence in alcoholic drink. Rather, it was when a man became grogged that he was "brave” enough for anything, and then he usually found himself before the doctor, in clink, or given an extended vacation. Again, Mr Edwardp. I believe, asserts that the drinkers

were the bravest men. While not claiming to be in any way a brave myself, I do maintain that the race to which we are proud to belongs must all be a very inferior race if, to cause a man to act when the occasion demands, and act, too, with a full realisation that his own life is endangered by so doing,- he must be primed up for the event, or even be one who occasionally indulges. After all, the bravest -man is the one who act realising what it is likely to cost, and not the individual who does an action for which he is really not responsible. THREE YEARS.