"PRESENT---FIRE!"

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2248, 7 September 1914, Page 7

"PRESENT---FIRE!"

THEORY. - ABOUT GERMAN METHODS. V", ' , An ex-voiunteer officer of long ejrperienco said that his attention had been drawn to a cable message which stated \hkt .theiGermans were firing with.their rifles held under their arms, instead of placing the butt against the. shoulder and taking aim in the usual way. . His theory of this action, which may be the explanation of,the new method, was that after a man has been rifle-shooting for : a week his shoulder is, apt to feel tho strain of tbe recoil. Some men's shoulders become quite bruised whilst only firing in two or.three matches a day at-the buttV!":; v, W,hat, 'then, must the effect be if'soldiers are called on to uso, their rifles from .dawn' to dark- week •

after- week? -The Mauser is- said to kick.just as much as tho Lce-Enfield, if not more, and probably. tho men are all too tender inside tho shoulder to "present arras!" So they shoot on the blind with the rifle hold loosely under tho arm. Under such circumstances their fire cannot be as accurate as tho English, but in shooting into a solid block of men the probability is that the German's bullet wouul bo of as much value- as the oarefully-aimed shot of tho British "Tommies." RELIEF OF DISTRESS DEPUTATION TO PEIMB MINISTER. (By Telegraph.—Presa Association.) Gjiristchurch, September 5. 'A deputation to Mr. Massey ; headed by the Mayor, and representing the Trados Council; the Labour Department, and public bodies askod for assistance in tho relief of local distress. The Prime Minister said the war would have a sorious effect on.the. finances. It was his opinion that tho Government would be ablo to get ; money in London, although at higlier prices. Advances for workers' homes would be kept going, and not loss than £100,000 would be spont. The Government would assist as much as financial circumstances would permit.. ... • • Interest at the present time is centred round the operations of the Expeditionary Pcrce and Warships in tho Pacific, especially Samoa, New Guinea,- Fiji, Hawaii, etc ■ ill these localities, including Australia, - New Zealand, Japan, Kiao-Chan, ore- shown in a splendid Map, 36 x 24. inches, six colours, Price Is. 9(1. Alsj coloured -War Maps of Europe, Is. 9d. .and 35., post free.- Map Department, Box 1487, G.P.O;; Wellington..