The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1914. RIFLE SHOOTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 65, 12 November 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1914. RIFLE SHOOTING.

The desirability of teaching our ipopo* dation i td i usei the 1 - rifle efficiently has ,hsen? urged' again «and again,*kandent such a time as- the, present the. matter is forced home to us. A special writer in the Christchurch Press contends that not only every inail, lint every woman also, should he taught to use the rifle, and that the true defence of New Zealand lies in teach ing her population to shoot. That the Government is of this opinion iindicated by the provision for the Territorials of expensive rifles of precision. However, here the good Peahave stopped, and so far they use these valuable rifles for drill purposes solely. A short course of musketry has been evolved, but properly-fitted rifle ranges are not provided to carry out the course, and also so fr the supply of ammunition is very restricted. The Press writer, however, declares that it is within the power of the municipalities of New Zealand to step in and show that they realise the true essence of defence, and that this can best be done by the holding of public meetings in every city, town, and borough of New Zealand,, to urge the formation of rliie clubs, the fees to which should hr merely nominal. Every adult male should he induced to become a member, and even ladies’ clubs might h< formed, for rifle shooting is an ideal sport for men and women alike. C'ubonce formed, the next consideration will he rifle, ranges, and the w - ifcei referred to suggests that as oa;l municipality has reserves or can lean land cheaply upon which such a rang', can be formed, there should ">e n> real difficulty. There is much tinti in what has been stated, and already —so far as the male population iconcerned—Stratford is working or some such lines. Why should w* not have a shooting club for our womenfolk ?