N.Z. RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5054, 18 June 1895, Page 3

N.Z. RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

| _ Iu accordance with an invitation issued by the local members of the New Zealand Rifle Association, Sir R. Stout and Di-Newman.M.H.R.'s, representing the members of Parliament for Wellington City and Suburbs, met a number of members of the Association at Wellington last

evening. Lieutenant Kirk, of tho Petono Navals, said that the Government were this year going to withdraw their annual grant to the Association of free passes on the railways and ammunition. The total value of the grant was £250, and tho Association asked the assistance of tho membora of Wellington City and Suburbs in seeking to obtain from the Government a continuance of the support. Mr H, D. Bell was unable to be present that evening, but had expressed himself as being fully in accord with the Association in this matter. Mr Kirk weut on to point out that when tho Association was first founded 30 years ago the Government of that time and for some years following had been remarkably liberal iu their: grants, but during the past few years the grant had been year by year reduced until it now stood as he had stated, excepting that the Hon. Mr Seddon had added a gold medal as a Government contribution to the winner of the championship, The Association could see its way to! continue its existence on the present, grant, but if this was discontinued it j would mean that if it did not go out' of existence it would ouly he tho} well-to-do portion of its members! who could afford to attend its meetings,

Lieutenant Kirk said that the cost per head to those attending the meetings of tho Association was about £lO. This was irrespective of time lost.

Sir Robert Stout throught the request of the Association such a mere bagatelle that there was no need of a deputation to the Premier. The amount of tho grant was so small that he could not sec that the Government could well refuse to continue it. His experience of Volunteering was that the Easter camps were moro subversive to disciplino than the meetings of the Association. (Laughter.) If they were not to have conscription in New Zealand Volunteering would have to be encouraged, and in his opinion the Government should pay the steamboat fares of those who had to travel to meetings of the Association by water. He thought all those members of the House interested in Volunteering should, during the coming session, see if they could not get for the Association more than they were at the present time receiving, (Applause). ( Dr Newman agreed with Sir Robt. Stout, He was utterly amazed at the Government takingaway apaltry £250 when the Treasury coffers were overflowing and surpluses abounding. It was not the best drilled men but the best shootists who won the battles now-a-days,and it seemed to him that the essence of Volunteering was the shooting. Ho would ha very happy to work with tho other membors in procuring the ends desired. (Applause.) Lieutenant Kirk thanked Sir Robert Stout and Dr Newman for their promised assistance and the meeting terminated.- N.'/j, Times.