RIFLE CLUB MEMBERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24403, 14 September 1940, Page 12

RIFLE CLUB MEMBERS

UNIT TO BE FORMED SERVICE WITH HOME GUARD Members of defence rifle clubs in Dunedin are to. be given' the opportunity which they have been seeking to assist in the defence of their country. It has been announced that a mobile defence unit ; comprised solely of,rifle club members is to be formed as part of the loqal Home Guard organisation. ftifle club members, up to the Resent, have been annoyed by the fact that their services were not being .utilised to the full by the Government. The view of these men was that their sport required them to possess a Ml knowledge of the correct use and care of the rifle and that accurate shooting could not be performed unless the, equipment was in first-class-condition. Ail members of' defence / rifle clubs they pointed- out; were- -thoroughly coached on these lines and thereby became efficient marksmen ~ It has been said that, whereas - riflemen • are experts at target shooting, they ate not nearly as expert* when firing the-. musketry course .as laid down by army regulations. The .--riflemen themselves claim that this, nas been proved on many occasions to be a'fallacy and that the greater number, of riflemen. .by Jheif knowledge of handling the rifle.' have proved that they are equally; as adept in service shooting as thev are in their target Shootina competitions. .'.-'=.. For the purpose of organising the unit which is now to be formed the Otago Rifle •■ Association has called-.-.a meeting ' to be held -in the Y.M.C;A. rooms on Thursday next, -nd invites, the co-operation of all rifle club members in Dunedin and the suburbs., A special invitation Hs also extended to members of \miniature rifle clubs w.ho are in possession of service pattern rifles. It is hoped that as many riflemen #s possible will attend, the meeting."-'.'•'■■- ■"■■'■ •'■ • - ; " •-'" -"-■ -'