SNIPER PLATOONS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 226, 22 June 1939, Page 5

SNIPER PLATOONS

Rifle Clubs’ Response Disappoints By Telegraph—Press Association. INVERCARGILL, June 21. Disappointment with the response of members of rifle clubs to the formation of sniper platoons announced some time ago was expressed by the Minister of Defence. Mr. Jones, in a letter to the president of the National Rifle Association, Dr. A. F. Ritchie Crawford. The formation of sniper platoons had been decided upon, said the Minister, so that the best use could be made of the special qualifications of rifle club members, but the response had not come up to expectations. However, he realized that many were above the Territorial Force Age limit of 32 years, and he appealed to them tq join the National Military Reserve. A special appeal has now been made by Dr. Crawford. "Not unmindful of the many concessions granted by the Government to members of rifle clubs,” he says, “I appeal to all my fellow riflemen in New Zealand to support the Government in its appeal for volunteers in accordance with the Minister’s suggestions. I cannot too strongly emphasize the urgency of this appeal for the loyal support and co-operation of all riflemen in the Dominion.”