SOBER SOLDIERS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 92, 17 April 1916, Page 7

SOBER SOLDIERS.

A GOOD RECORD. BETTER THAN CIVILIANS. "Statistics that have been placed before me convince me that there is less drunkenness anions; soldiers than among civilians, in spite of the special temptations that are placed in the way of soldiers," said the Minister for Defence on Wednesday. /'Since the inauguration of the camps only three men have been dismissed from the forces for drunkenness. I have had-a return prepared showing the charges of drunkenness heard by the military authorities during the months of December, January, and February last. There were 143 cases in Featherston camp cut of some 7000 men, and 84 cases at Trentham out of some 4500 men. Then there Avere 38 cases at Narrow Neck camp, making a total of 265 cases in three months among some 12,000 men, most of them young. Ten men at Trentham and six men at Narrow Neck were charged with the effence on more than one occasion. I find, that during- the same period 663 males ond 62 efmales were convicted in Wellington City, in addition to 106 soliders. Previous convictions had been recorded against 68 of the male civilians, 27 of the females, and 8 of the soldiers. The only conclusion I can draw from these figures is that the amount of drunkenness among soldiers is less- than among civilians."