H.—l9b

Session 11. 1912. NEW ZEALAND.

DEFENCE DEPARTMENT: RIFLE CLUBS UNDER NEW DEFENCE SCHEME (RETURN RELATIVE TO).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated the 14th August, 1912. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House a return showing—(l) The number of rifle clubs which will within the next two years be established under the proposed new defence scheme ; and (2) the estimated amount of additional expenditure which these clubs will entail, including maintenance grant and the free issue of rifles and ammunition."—(Mr. Myebs.)

Betukn eelative to Rifle Clubs under New Defence Scheme. 1. The number of rifle clubs which will within the next two years be established under the proposed new scheme is 34. Note. —This is in addition to the 190 clubs already in existence, and none of which it is presumed will disband within the next two years. 2. The estimated cost of additional annual expenditure which these clubs will entail, including maintenance grant and the free issue of rifles and ammunition, is £7,521 per annum. Note.—This includes the additional expenditure which increased membership to the 190 rifle clubs already in existence, and the 34 new clubs when formed, will entail by posting thereto 35 per cent, of those liable to undergo military training instead of to Territorial units. Department of Defence, Headquarters Office, Wellington, 15th October, 1912.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,400 copies), 17e. 6d.

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l2.

Price 3d.]