BULL'S-EYE TARGETS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1836, 23 August 1913, Page 5

BULL'S-EYE TARGETS.

SHOULD THEY BE ABOLISHED? A protest against tho abolition of the bulls-eye target was mado at tho Highland Defence I'iflo Club's smoke concert last night by Mr. H. (Marshall, president of tho Rifle Clubs' Executive. In tho coumso of his remarks, Mr. Marshall look tho opportunity of acknowledging tho full recognition given the executive by tho Defence Minister, and also tho courteous and sympathetic reception by him of any requests in ado by tho executive! "it is pleasing to note," ho said, "that the number of riflo olubs in Now Zealand is still increasing, the total now being 203, with a -membership of about 0000. The Rifle Club Executive, however, views with apprehension the future, of rifle clubs. Wo consider that unless a decided change is made in our musketry system for tho Territorials, and the old-timo voluntary shooting encouraged amongst them, that tho rifle clubs must automatically die out. It must be remembered that the Territorial of to-day is tlje riflo club man of the futime. If a love of sliootimj is not promoted and encouraged amongst the Tenritorials, where are the firturo members of riflo clubs to como from?

"If you aro going to develop this voluntary spirit with the rifle, surely you must start'tlio men on tlio easiest target, with the most clearly defined aiming jnark. This,-of course, is tho buliVcye target now in uso for tlio itacruits of tho .British Army, both Reguilar and Territorial. In New Zealand we aro starting our recruits on the moro difficult figure target. Under such conditions wo cannot' expect to develop shooting to ally extent amongst tho Territorials.

"We hear it said that it is owing to the introduction of tho new defenco schome shooting lias recoived such a deplorablo Fct-back in Now Zealand," This is certainly not the only reason. Tako New South Wales. Tho new defenco scheme was established tihoro at the same time as with us. But their shooting lias still mado great strides. You will bo glad to hear that your'executive is in communication with tlio Minister on this important section of our military training."