New Zealand

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 30, 11 January 1916, Page 5

New Zealand

„„, ij R-5 A* 8 MG 3 1 S&L&UL&& APPEAL TO MEN ANO r-ÜBLIC A FINAL WARNING. Per Press Association. Wellington, January 10. An appeal to the public to refrain from “treating” soldiers, out of mistaken kindness, and some words to the men themselves, were made by the Defence Minister to-day. Hon. Jas. Allen’s remarks applied to returned sick and wminded soldiers, men in course of training at the camps, and those about to undergo training. The authorities bad made no great alterations in regard to licenses, said the Minister, except to stop the supplying of bottles of liquor to soldiers in uniform. and to prevent anyone taking liquor to them, but be understood (although he had no definite information on the matter) that there was at

the present, time n 0 proper observation of these regulations. “I want to be perfectly understood,” he added, “when I say that if any breach of these instructions is discovered those responsible "Hi he dealt with severely, and I ask those who are licensees or hotels to carry out the instructions in letter and spirit, as 1 don’t want to Use the power 1 have. I would rather trust to the honor of people themselves, hut there will he no hesitation about it once anv offence is discovered, f give them fair warning. 1 also again warn people that there is a regulation in existence that no liquor is to be taken on a troop train', either by soldiers or

civilians; but in regard to ordinary trains on which soldiers travel and in

the country where soldiers may. happen to he. 1 make this appeal to the public that they should not on any occasion treat the soldiers. The men, as far as T know, don’t want A. They would rather retain their self-respect and obtain what they want themselves than be treated by the public. T am sneaking without the,hook, hut if

no notice is taken of this a pineal to the public :l will prohahlv he neens-

are lor some action to he taken