THE "DOLLAR" RIFLE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1937, 20 December 1913, Page 5

THE "DOLLAR" RIFLE.

FIRST CONSIGNMENT LANDED. A good consignment of tho _ rifles purchased in Canada by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. James Allen) has arrived in 'Wellington.' These rifles aro intended for supply to the Cadet Corps, and the Defence Department will now push on tho arming of this branch. Tho strike lias delayed tho delivery of the rifles for some time. Yesterday a reporter was shown one of tho rifles, winch have become known to the Department as the "Dollar" Rillo, consequent on the fact that tho Defence Minister secured them at tho small prices of a, dollar (4s. 2d.) apicco from the Canadian military authorities. Sonic 15,000 wero purchased, and those qualified to judge consider that an excellent bargain, was made. The rifles aro in excellent condition. Some slight criticism was levelled against tho Minister -when it becamo known that the purchase had been made, but this was evidently unwarranted. The only reason why tho Canadian authorities disposed of them was that they intended rearming tho _ Canadian troops with tlib new Ross rifle, which is considered in somo'quarters but littlo better than the discarded weapon. There is jio doubt that a.nvucli higher price could havo been sccured had tho Canadian authorities placed tho guns in tho open market. This is borne out bv tho fact: that somo years ago tho. Now Zealand Defcnco Department advertised for salo a consignment of old Sniders and Martinis. Tho condition of salo was that they should be landed in an English port, and'.the Homo War Office was notified of tho sale. A sum of 10s. 4d. apicce was secured for them. Some littlo timo lator they turned up in a Persian Gulf port. ; This fact led to.a good doal of correspondence at tho time with tho New Zealand) Government.

The rifles now sccured for Now Zealand aro only slightly part worn, not more than aro tho rifles supplied to tho infantry territorials. They will, however, bo carefully overhauled before being placed in commission.