RIFLE SHOOTING

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 3, 4 July 1922, Page 5

RIFLE SHOOTING

NEW ORGANISATION WANTED

!1 WAKE UP, RIFLEMEN!"

The subject of forming a new rifle association was brought up again by Colonel R. J. Collins, C.M.G., at the Petone Rifle Club smoke concert on Saturday evening. Several speakers referred to the unsatisfactory position .of the D.R.A. As matters stood at present, Colonel Collins said the best solution was the formation of a new National Rifle Association on; the lines of the National Rifle Association of Great Britain. The object, he pointed out, was to bring about an organisation of all riflemen and others interested in rifle shooting, which would gradually grow in strength arid importance, so that in time1 it would be able to carry on its functions without having recourse to the public purse. The encouragement of rifle shooting throughout the Dominion had been the constant aim of the executive of the D.R.A. since its foundation iv 1879. . Up till last year there was little or no interference with its management, but,, unfortunately, this year, owing to necessity of economy in the public funds, it was decided by the Government to withdraw its annual grant and other privileges, and abandon the annual rifle meeting at Trentham. There being no membership, and consequently no association, the meeting was allowed to lapse.. In order to prevent such a calamity in future, Colonel Collins said it was necessary to put the association on a proper footing, and this could only be done by riflemen throughout the Dominion forming a new association. The rifle shots in the South Island had already ■ taken steps to form a South Island Rifle Association. It was time that the riflemen in the North Island woke up and did likewise. That would all help to the formation of a National Rifle Association for Now Zealand. The secret. of success in every work was organisation, and without organisation it was impossible to obtain a real success in any undertaking. Very little interest was taken by riflemen in the D.R.A.,' and between the annual rifle meetings there was no organisation or cohesion. They wero simply competitors who paid their entrance fees and had no say in the riianagement. The. time had therefore arrived for action. Every rifleman in the Dominion should be invited to step up, and step lively, and take a. hand in helping the movement along. In these times they must not look to the Government for financial, assistance, but must put their hands in their pockets and help themselves;

The formation of the association would tend to economy, as the duties connected therewith will be carried out at a very small cost to the association. Riflemen were very keen on the conduct of their own club's shooting, and were constantly on the range, but what was now required was that they should rally together and extend'their,keenness in the direction of one large, association for New Zealand. The time was now opportune when riflemen should take a firm hold on the management of their annual rifle meeting. They had,among them the brains, energy, and ability to do it, and, with the support of the Rifle Clubs' Executive, it would be for the bettermmt of rifle shooting as a national sport in New Zealand. " Wake up, riflemen, put your shoulders to the wheel, and success is' assured," concluded Colonel Collins, amidst applause. , '