RIFLE AMMUNITION

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 73, 27 March 1934, Page 11

RIFLE AMMUNITION

REPLY TO COMPLAINTS

GENEROUS TREATMENT

The complaints .made by members of rifle clubs about the: quality:' of the ammunition supplied for shooting matches were referred to by,the Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe) today. The Minister stated that in the matter of ammunition supplies, the position of rifle Blubs was no different from that of Territorial forces, as both were issued with the same class of ammunition. •: ■>:";: ,

"The Defence Department," Mr. Cobbe said, "is possessed, of comparatively large stocks of amijiunition manufactured prior to 1930. It is necessary, in order to maintain a proper turnover of these stocks, that the older ammunition should be used up before recourse |is had to that manufactured"more recently. A reserve of a certain quantity: imtist always be maintained to meet , military, requirements. If the demands of the rifle clubs for' the latest ammunition were acceded to, that'reserve would eventually consist of old ammunition—a estate of affairs which, of course, cannot -be : . contemplated; ;■' Although the ammunition being issued to the rifle clubs and the Territorials is not of recent make, it has-been tested by the Defence Department : andclassified as.serviceable. 3?or reasons.of economy the annual quantity of small arm.s ammunition now being -purchased by tha Department is less than: formerly, and, as that: quantityis exceeded by the annual consumption, the position should right itself in time." : : ■

The Minister pointed out that tha rifle clubs were generously treated by the Defence Department in the matter of free issues of ammunition. * Each member received a free grant of 500 rounds per annum and was allowed to purchaso a further 500 xouhds.at the reduced price of 5s 6d per hundred rounds, and, bona fide competitors at approved rifle associations' meetings, an additional'loo rounds at the same price. Fieo issues up lo- 10,000 rounds per annum were also-made to each approved' rifle association for its • annual meeting.