303 RIFLES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 97, 26 April 1941, Page 3 (Supplement)

303 RIFLES.

TO BE IMPRESSED.

WANTED FOR HOME GUARD. . P.AI WELLINGTON, this day. j The Government has decided to take Meps to obtain possession of all privately-owned ."03 rifles, or thereof, ami an impressment order under the Emergency Reserve Corps Regulations will be gazetted immediately. i according to an announcement made by 1 the Prime Minister, the Tit. Hon. P. • Fraser, to-day. Mr. Fraser pointed out that there 'were now at least 100.000 men in the] Home Guard, and the arming of this lame, force was a difficult task and, in the existing circumstances, presented a major problem. It was. therefore, imperative that every rifle in the country I should be made available to ensure that! j a* far as humanly possible the Home J Guard was adequately trained and equipped to meet any situation that might 1 arise. i Mr. Fraser added that the irapress- : ment order covered all privately-owned .303 titles of all makes, and unservice- ; able rifles of this calibre should also be ; handed in as it was quite possible they i might be repaired. Provision would be made to grant persons who could satisfy '< the Minister they urgently required their rifles, permission to retain their ; rifles until further notice. Applications for retention of rifles would receive careful consideration. All rifles impressed would be held on loan and -would be returned in good order or be replaced. Mr. Fraser urged all who had rifles in their possession to take them to the nearest police station without delay. i -'■