RIFLE CLUBS HURT

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1940, Page 8

RIFLE CLUBS HURT

By Telegraph—Press Association

NO SHARE IN DEFENCE TUITION VALUE URGED

Invercargill, Sept. 11. Keen disappointment that the authorities had not made use of the services of rifle clubs in the Dominion in New Zealand's war effort was expressed by the president, Mr. A. R. Wills, at the annual meeting of the Invercargill Defence Rifle Club. "Of the older members of the club not eligible for active service there are quite a number who would be useful teaching recruits to shoot," he said. "I know that many of those sent away would be far better shots if they had had training from men who understood the job. Could Join in Ordinary Way. "When war was declared," he continued, "I rang the local authorities and asked if, as a defence rifle club, we would be taking part in home defence or guard duty. I was told that that would not be the case and those members eligible could sign on in the ordinary way. "The position is that they are not going to use us. That is not right. No matter how old a man is, so long as he can shoot he would be of value in some way. "I'm quite satisfied," said Mr. Wills, "if we picked a squad out of our two rifle clubs here any enemy coming within 1000 yards would get a hot time, a darn sight hotter time than any territorials would give them."