SEPARATE IDENTITY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 151, 20 March 1924, Page 8

SEPARATE IDENTITY

N.R.A. AND ARMY SERVICE CO-OPERATION, NOT AMALGAMATION The annual meeting of the National Rifle Association was held at Trantham last night. In the absence of the president (Colonel Collins), Mr. 14. T. Marshall, chairman of the executive. presided over an attendance of about 200. , . . The report touched, on the activities of tlie association during 1923. It was considered that the high cost of attending the meeting kept the entries down considerably. It was hoped, however, that the Government would restore the grant previously given for many years, enabling the association to develop and carry out its useful work. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £162 14s. lOd. The membership stood at 550. a “Your committee urges all riflemen to endeavour to enrol members for the N.R.A.said Mr. Marshall, in moving tho adoption of the report and balance-sheet, “and a very small eifort on the part, of each club would mean a great deal to the association.” The report and balance-sheet wer* fullv discussed and adopted. The president, vice-presidents, secretary anj‘auditor were re-elected for the coming year, and the position, of treasurer was left to the executive to fill. Mr. C. M. Moss (Dunedin) said that it was a matter for regret that the entries this year showed a decrease over the last year’s figures. Riflemen had been led to undestand that they could expect larger entries in view of the fact that the army meeting took place a week before the N.R.A. A curious fact, this year however, was that there had been a noticeable absence of territorial and cadet competitors. As a remedy, he suggested that the two meetings should be amalgamated, and moved that the Minister of Defence be approached to sea if this could not bo arranged for next year. Lieutenant Duncan (Westport) seconded the motion. Several speakers expressed the view that although perhaps iz would not be wholly desirable to come under the Government again, the amalgamation of the two meetings would be a splendid thing. It was mentioned. that the two meetings used different rifles,, and this, to some extent, would militate against the suggestion. Captain Masefield took the view that until both classes of competitors (riflemen and service competitors) used the same kind o 4 rffie they would be handicapped. If it meant adopting the short rifle, tho sooner this were done the better. Ho would like to see the two rifles thoroughly tested. Major Dunn questioned whether oval control would appeal general.'? to viPemen. They Lad to remember that under military control- they, would have to submit to military discipline. Mr. Marshall reminded the meeting that tho association was only an infant, one year old, and that when it grew into a more healthy youngster it would know better where it stood. Mr. J. F. Thompson (Greytown) suggested that' a deputation wait upon the Minister during his visit to Trantham on Saturday. Mr. W. Luxford (Wanganui) moved an amendment to the effect that the matter be left to the executive for consideration, and that this meeting express the opinion that the association should retain a separate identity. The executive had dono good work so far, and should' be allowed to carry on He considered that the effect of strict military discipline would be to weed out ma.ny of the .older members, who would withdraw. Those were the back-stay of shooting, and the Wk-so-ciation could not afford to lose them. (Applause.) Mr. H. H. Donald (Masterton) said it was not amalgamation that was wanted so much as co-operation. He therefore seconded the amendment. After discussion the motion was lost and the amendment carried. Considerable discission took place on the question of classifying the marksmen into A giade, B grade, and tyros, and it was decided that the executive should consider the results of the present meeting with a view to bringing forward the best means of classification next year. A recommendation was made to the incoming executive that - a special match bo put on at future mootings exclusivelv fog each of the A, B, and tyro grades. It was decided to reaffirm the principle of club colours. The following rescl'ition was carried:—“That rhe Defence Department be asked if it is prepared (in the event of the association adopting tho short rifle) to change the long rifle for the short.” Mr. H. T. Marshall presided oyer the annual meeting of the Rifle Clubs’ Association. The following provincial representatives on the NR.A. wore mooted:--Major G. E. Taylor (Wellingt-.m), S. Elliott (Auckland), Captain Masefield (Canterbury), and Mr. J. S. Silvi is (Otago).