ENCOURAGEMENT OF RIFLE CLUBS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 June 1910, Page 3

ENCOURAGEMENT OF RIFLE CLUBS.

Mil .I'M EM) AT TE hOTU). Speaking at the annual nos'.d ... the llaiitero Defenco Riflo Club, at Te'lforo on Friday niglit last, Mr "\Y. H. Field, M.P., made some interesting references to rifle clubs, .and Hie necessity )or further encouraging same. Last year, as they knew, an Act. had been passed for compulsory military training, which, lie believed, was generally approved, though some opposed the proposal. There were few w'ho would not agree that when the time came for action - when the slumbering embers were fanned into a flame we should be in a state of preparedness to defend our country. All thait, this new Act had done with respect to lillv. clubs was to re-constitute the dubs in existence, but it was hoped that regulations that, would lie drafted shortly would tnako provision foil the 'encouragement of these clubs. Sir Joseph Ward, speaking at I'ppor lliitt some time ago, had stated that, it w.as intended to increase the amount of free ammunition supplied to riflemen from I'JO to 200 rounds annually, which wa." one sfceii in, the right direction. As president.of the Wide Clubs Association, .and as one who had always taken a keen interest in rifle chilis, he (.Mr Field) had some time ago written the following letter to the Premier: - "You will, no doubt, be having under consideration almost at once the question of framing ivgnlatiniis under the new Defence Act. You will perhaps rooolloelt that in speaking on the third readme; of Hie Rill I expressed the hope that the i:.w regulations .affecting Defence Uitlo Clubs might be more on the lines of those in use in the Australian Commonwealth, which are in nnuv respects far more encouraging to Hide Clubs than the present n gulations in force in this country. T urn, as you know, and .always have been, a strong believer in the Rifle Club movement, and do my lu'.st. by giving trophies and other mean o , to popularise these institutions in m yowu district. in order to show distinctly the difference between Australian regulations nod our own in various respects. 1 have had prepared, and now forward you, a copy of a comparative table showing in one column the gist of the Australian regulations, and in the other Hint, of our ewn as they at prevent stand. 1 do this in order to show you at a idauee where the differ, ie-e lies. T also, forward a copy of the Commonwealth regulet'ors. which I havi recently obtained from Australia. 1 trust these enclosures tnnv assist vou in the work of framing the regulation*, and may operate to some extent to induce yon to afford oui rifle duh«ni"ii fie same encouragement thoyirceeive in Australia. Should you do this 1 -am satisfied that a large number id' new rifle. '•'id's will be formed, and the efficient laud forces of the dominion proportionately augmented. Tn a speech made somewhere s.vair months .ago. T think at the Epiiei Ifutt. yon gave utteraiw to certain views which you held in the direction of bettering the eendition of rifle clubs, and which were noted with satisfaction by rifle cluhsnieu throughout the whole of the dominion, and f should meni ; on. speaking I'm- niv own district, that members of rifk- club-; are looking forward I:. you _d; ieg them :i full measure ol jir.'. : "e by means of new or amended regulations. Everywhere rille eliibs'iien ere pivpired to submit to inspection, which I beb.-ve thev do net n:.,\ n -eive. discipliii'C. drill, and el!:: i v. ifliovnt son ice to phi e tie m in a stat" id' prepared'iiess on any : uior-g-eney, and they are .a!.-■■• > pi ( |Mied to |o'ovi;!e .■.•.eme p; i'-er.el annual uiitlnv. It is only fair th"lt they ."build receivi' soam cc.inpe'!is: v t'ng bei'.idits and encouragement, wldeh. I fear, cur rifle dub sv.-tem wil, never devebn as it should. Yours fnithifully, W. fl. Fiell." \n reply to this letter, Sir Je.;eph AYard had promised to considei the matter when the regulations were drafted, but up to the ri'e-'.eit these latter had not been published. However, they had the assurance of the Premier that the free ammunition supplied would be im resell, and. also the amount id cheap ammunition. Mr Eield urged the riflemen in the district to .assist him in his endeavour to secure a central rifle range for the district. In Australia each rifle (dub was granted l' 7."> for a range, but no such provision w.as made in New Zealand. He was of opinion that the Govt rnieen! sdieilld ''''sist in the securing of ranges in every district, and had tried hard to get a central range i'or this district. A site near Otaki had been inspected, and he suggested Hie .riflemen do their utmost to secure this, or another in the vicinity. He would do his utmost ju the matter, but he riflemen and tht public generally could assist bint a great, deal in the matter. Mr Field said they would lie glad to hear that he was not -lluio in. HeHouse in this matter, luvt had ben tironiised support by several members, for strane-dv enoindi ( .f tl, ; 17."i0 meml.e,.',; r f rift- dubs in \e\\ /calami, 700 belong fa. the Wd liligton province. He believed the.' he_ and others working with h.ini in ■Mi's nctter would even'anllv !:■■ °'ble to secure very mudi grc-'/'ei coccuragemenf for rifle el ml is than thev now recoived from t}<:> GovernirePit.

Mr Fvl-Vr i- ( ."'-rVs wore lircirtilv ri;>'iiii' 1 :"1.-nti-.Vi M-il.