RIFLE CLUBS BENEFIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 220, 17 September 1930, Page 8

RIFLE CLUBS BENEFIT.

AMMUNITION SUPPLIES. ALL-ROUNT> INCREASE. CONCESSION FROM GOVEKNMENT. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) ' WELLINGTON, Tuesday.

An all-round increase in the ammunition allowance to further; encourage, rifle shooting and as a set-off to the reduced amount on the Defence Estimates for rifle clubs is announced 'by the. Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Defence. "The present regulations,' 5 said the Minister in a statement to tlia "Star's" representative to-night, "provided for a free issue of 100 rounds per annum to all members of rifle clubs, who firs the musketry course and qualify, with a further 100 rounds per annum to those members who qualify as marksmen. It is proposed to increase these amounts by 150 rounds per annum' in the first case, and 100 rounds per annum in-the second case, i.e., giving each member who qualifies in the musketry course 250 rounds free and each marksmen 300 rounds. At present no ammunition is given to the new member joining until he fires. his musketry course. It is now proposed to give him 200 rounds immediately he is attested. To encourage members of th© territorial force reserveto join rifle clubs, each such member, on being attested, shall receive 300 rounds free, and also an issue on loan of a rifle. Concessions Summarised. "Summarised the concessions 'are as follows: — An increase of the free issue to members who fire the musketry course and qualify from 100 rounds to 250 rounds; increase of the allowance to marksmen from 200 rounds tcT. 300 rounds; free issue of 200 rounds to new members immediately they are attested; free issue of 300 rounds to members of 'the territorial force reserve, joining, rifle clubs immediately they arc attested, and issue them with a service rifle on loan. "The present grants to approved' Rifle Association meetings will be continued, also the sale of .ammunition to members at the reduced rate. The question of the sale of service rifles to members of rifle clubs has also been discussed with the New Zealand Rifle Clubs' executive, and a limited number will be made available at a price- to bo fixed later."