TROOPERS AND DRINK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 220, 24 February 1915, Page 7

TROOPERS AND DRINK.

THE DEFENCE "MINISTER COXCIiKXMI). Wellington, February 22. The sobriety of the troops who are bring trained for the front is a matter which is engaging the earnest attention i.i' 111,. Minister of Defence. The suggestion h:is been made that the most sensible thing to do would be to establish a military canteen under strict supervision. This idea has lieen fully gone into and for the meantime lias been abandoned. A technical difficulty stands in the way. inasmuch as section !>;S of the Defence' Act. 100!), forbids the sale of any intoxicants in camp, but. if necessary, the Government could indemnify themselves under tile war regulations. However, for the present there is no prospect of a "wet" canteen coming into operation, and every effort is being put forward to induce tiie men now collected at Trentham to take either tie.' total "K.K.") or partial pledge. The "K K." means the "Kitchener of |\harloum patriotic pledge," under which the -oMier undertakes not to take spiritueu- 1 i<|nor during the progress of the war. The partial pledge means that in - toyirants are only to lie partaken of at ill'."!, v, hen in company cut of ramp.' In no (■;!-■,. is "shouting" to lie indulged in. a I'd this is generally regarded as the ■■e.'inl e'e ['.'el which causes must l fouille. Mr. Alien suggests to citizens general--1 ' the ndvisableiirss of abjuring the h..:;:b v.!;.;: ;L.y r.re i:i Uie company of soldiers.