DISSATISFACTION EXPRESSED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 51, 22 February 1944, Page 6

DISSATISFACTION EXPRESSED

RIFLES LOANED TO GOVERNMENT RETURNED IN DISGRACEFUL CONDITION

A statement to the effect that match rifles belonging to members of rifle clubs in this district loaned to the Government had been returned in a disgraceful condition was made at a meeting of riflemen held in Katikati recently for the purpose of re-establishing the first of the six clubs incorporated in the Bay of Plenty Defence Rifle Clubs Association. Major F. A. Eustace, president of the. association was in attendance and he submitted correspondence which has. passed between himself and the Miinistre of Defence on the subject of rifles. In a letter to the Minister on December 7 Majort Eustace stated that the position with regard to the rifles was now reversed. The riflemen of New Zealand, although highly prising their match rifles, placed them immediately at the disposal of the Minister. They expected that their nifles would be lost, misused and rendered unserviceable and their expectations had been fully realised. "The very few rifles returned by your orders arc in a state fit for the scrap heap," the letter continued. "As mentioned in the first paragraph, the situation is now reversed. You have the Home. Guard rifles greased and put away and you still have the liability of the borrowed rifles. The riflemen, having nothing, look to your sense of j>usticc to make some really serviceable rifles available. Our object is the las.t sentence in the enclosed appeal by Lieut. Col. Sir Philip Richardson* 0.8. E., 'To help make our nation a nation ol' sharpshooters is well worth while.' All the. tools for this job are hanging up in your private custody. We respectfully ask vou to publish the terms in which riflemen can have, rifles." To this letter the Hon. D. Wilson replied as follows:— l< Mjr colleague, the Hon. Minister of Finance has sent me your letter of December 17 relative to the release of service rifles to rifle clubs.. Bn reply Ij regret to advise that it will not be possible at present to comply with this request.". The meeting passed a unanimous resolution expressing dissatisfaction with the disposal of the ease by the authorities and requesting the president to continue the representation both through the usual channels: and through the National Rifle Association.