CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 153, 29 June 1940, Page 8

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS.

RIFLE CLUBS. (To the Editor.) People may ask, ''What part are our defence rifle chibs playing in the present crisis?" But the question should be, "What part are the clubs being allowed to play?" The answer is "Nothing." And it will remain so unless pressure can be brought to bear on the military authorities. Many offers of assistance have been made to the Government by clubs, whose members would be only too willing to act as instructors. But, alas! Ever since the old volunteer days there has been a keen rivalry (professional jealousy it what you wish) between the military authorities and rifle clubs. In competition the man in khaki becomes the "amateur" and the rifleman the "professional." And for this reason, I suggest, all offers of assistance have fallen on ears that will not hear. The last war saw a "boom"' period for rifle clubs. Memberships soared, while clubs sprang up like mushrooms. Soldier, prospective soldier and civilian alike swelled the ranks of clubs and all eager for that extra practice and knowledge. What a tragic position to-day! The death knell has sounded for miniature clubs, for no ammunition is available in New Zealand. The position of the defence clubs is little better. New members cannot be accepted, as the supply of ammunition is negligible—and the practice for others is decimated. Why not a conference between the military authorities and the National Rifle Association? The association could easily bring some scheme forward whereby the services of skilled riflemen could be utilised. The question •still remains, "Will the military authorities co-operate?" PARASHOOTER.