LANDING OF ARMED PARTIES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9164, 12 August 1908, Page 5

LANDING OF ARMED PARTIES.

AN OBJECTION WAIVED. ] I BT VA,fi IVPH .'.ISM A33JJIATIJN. , AUCKLAND, August 11. \ The Imperial law prevents an armed party landing from a foreign warship. For this reason. Cabinet refured permission for the holding of a rifle match between American Fleet shootists and Auckland Volunteers, but after nuch negotiation the difficulty was overcome. The Premier decided to waive the unusual regulation, and the match will eventuate on Thurtday. VIEWS OF FEDERAL MINISTERS. TECHNICALITIES TO BE IGNORED. Received August 11, 9.55 a.m. MELBOURNE, August 11. The interpretation put by the Premier of New Zealand upon the Imperial regulations in reference to the A landing of parties of armed men, and Joseph Ward's application of those regulations to the American Fleet teams in ride competitions, are by no means shared by the Federal Minister. They do not interpret the Imperial regulations in any such sense. The rifle competitions arranged to take place between Australian and American teams during the fleet's visit to Australia will not be hampered by technicalities. The Prime Minister (Hon. A. D3akin) said: "I know of nothing in the regulations which prevents rifle competitions takin- place. I am, however, looking into the whole question." The Minister of Defence (Hon. T. Ewing) was even more specific than the Prime Minister. When questioned on the subject, he said: "I an quite satisfied that any desire on which the authorities here are in unim with the Admiral of the American Fleet will not be hampered by any regulation of any description. With regard to the shooting competition, you may rest assured that there will not be a hitch nausea by any technicalities in connection with ihe regulations, as far as the Defence Department is concerned. Permission to land teams with their rifles will require to be given by the GovernorGeneral. Ido not anticipate any hitch."