MORE SUPPORT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 41, 17 August 1923, Page 6

MORE SUPPORT

THE RIFLE CLUBS

APPEAL IN THE HOUSE.

The claims of the National Uiflo Asbociation for more support from tho Gov. eminent were advanced hv the Leader of the Opposition (Mr. T. M. Vfilford) in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon.

Mr. Wilford stated thai the old Dominion Rifle Association meeting had cost the country £3827, whereas the actual cost of conducing the last meeting under the auspices of the newly-forroed National Rifle Association was £1127. The estimates showed that the K.lt. A. meeting had cost tho Government £1600, but when the N.R.A. applied to the Defence Department for the actual cost it was told that it was £711. The discrepancy in the figures should be explained. Mr. Wilford quoted figures' to show the amount of assistance which was given rifle clubs in Australia. The N.R.A. asked that the vote on the Estimates should be £1200 for ammunition, £700 for return railway warrants, and cash grants £500, a total of £2400, as compared with the expenditure under the old D.B.A. of £3827.

_Mr. W. H. Field (Otalri) said tho N.R.A. demands were reasonable, and should be granted. If rifle shooting were encouraged to a greater extent it would be better for the country. He was not so sure that the Government was as sympthctic with the rifle club movement as it might be. Mr. J. Horn (Wakatipu) considered that, the Territorials should be encouraged to join the rifle clubs, which did useful service. If the rifle clubs were not assisted, then there would not be the number of snipers available for future wars as there was for the last war.

Mr. G. M'Kay (Hawkes Bay) appealed for more generous treatment of rifle clubs.

Mr. W. A. Veitch (Wanganni) said the clubs were deserving of every consideration.

The Minister of Defence (the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes) stated in his reply that the Department did not want to see the Territorials break away from the Rifle Association. The main reason for the formation of the Army Association was that certain military events were deEired which were not included in the programme of the National Rifle Association. He spoke of the need for encouraging the younger generation in shooting, and remarked that he would like to see every young fellow of military age join the rifle clubs.