IN RETROSPECT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 57, 8 March 1928, Page 12

IN RETROSPECT

N.R.A. MEETING' ITS VALUE PROVED SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP (By "Onlooker.") Trentham holds many poignant memories. Throughout the days of the war it was the training ground of the flower of New Zealand's manhood, and every nook and corner of the camp has its historic associations, associations that will never be forgotten as long as life lasts. Peace has wrought its changes, and to-day the familiar khaki is seldom seen, but Trentham still has a purpose to serve, even though the dark days of the war are happily of the past. In its wisdom, the Government still realises the necessity for some form of military training, and it is here that Trentham has its uses. In a country situated as New Zealand is, proficiency in the use of a rifle is a desirable qualification for every male citizen, and in its encouragement of the sport of rifle shooting the Government gives proof that it realises this fact. , Once every year Trentham is'made availa/lo for the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association, and the opportunity is provided for marksmen from every part of the Dominion to provide evidence of their prowess with the rifle. For some, little, time past there has been an under-current of feeling that meetings of the National Eifle Association are not of great value so far as the future defence of the country is concerned; and the association has experienced some difficulty in combatting that feeling. It was felt by some that the meetings were not attracting the right class of competitors, that in the main entries came from men who would be of little service to tho country in the event of hostilities. In the face, of these suggestions, the National Eifle Association was placed on its mettle, but it was able to make an effective reply to the critics. Certainly there are many competitors at N.B.A. meetings who are past tho military age—some of them are well past it—but surely this fact cannot be taken as an indication of the decadence of the sport. Rather it is an indication of strength, for, men who will turn out year after year and stand up to tho rigors of camp life are men of which any sport may well bo proud., The formation ,of the Army Eifle Association has certainly had some effect on tho entries received . from young marksmen, but , even so N.E.A. meetings during the last few years have been attended by quite a large proportion of young men, and it is safe to say that more than half of the competitors have been men well on the right side of forty. ' . . ' A HIGH STANDARD. The 1928 meeting of the National Rifle Association, which concluded at Trentham last week, provided ample proof of tho vitality, of the association. Entries showed an increase on those of last year, and the quality of tho shooting was such as-to. indicate, that the sport in New Zealand is of a high standard. An added significance was given to the meeting by' tho presence ,of teams of Victorian and Now South (Wales riflemen, who, at considerable personal expenso and inconvenionco, crossed the Tasman to try conclusions with the best marksmen of tho Dominion. It is to bo regretted that tho' Australians did not take a more prominent part in tho shooting, but there wcro sovoral factors which contributed to their small measure of success. Of those, natural conditions provided tho greatost stumbling block. Trontham is notorious for tho difficulties which it presents for riflemen. Men who have been shooting at Trentham for many years will bo tho first to admit that they havo not conquered its many moods, and it is not to bo wondered that tho Australians found themselves soriously up against it. During tho meeting there wor© days on which tho conditions were not to bo relied on for five minutes at a timo, and there woro many occasions on which the Australians admitted to tho writer that they were badly at sea. "Just look at thoso flags," said ono experienced Victorian onbno occasion. "They'ro blowing in every conceivable direction. What is a man to do?" Tho changing light was another sourco of trouble to tho- Australians, and they had great difficulty in maintaining tho correct elevation. In tho inattor of ammunition, too, tho Australians woro seriously handicapped, for thoir rifles were not adaptod to the variety that was being used. However, in spito of tho many difficulties with which they had to contend, tho visittors retained their keenness and enthusiasm right up to tho last and in this way they won tho rospoct and admiration of every Now Zealander present at tho meeting. When they sailed for homo, they left behind a host of friends, and thoir visit did much to strengthen the bonds which already exist between Now Zealand and tho Commonwealth. A RETURN VISIT. Hopos aro held out that it will bo possible for a Now Zealand toain to make a visit to Australia at an early date. Such a visit would moan considerable expense, but tho National Eiflo Association is optimistic enough to think that tho Government of New Zealand will coino to its assistance. At tho prize-giving ceremony at Trontham, a hint in this direction was thrown out, and although tho Minister of Defence (tho Hon. F. J. Eolleston) did not commit himself in any way, ho did not refuse, and there is some comfort in that. Apart from taking part at the big meetings in Australia, tho Now Zoalandeis would bo able to defend tho Gordon Highlanders trophy, which thoy won in such convincing stylo at this year's meeting at Trentham. Not the least pleasing feature of the 1928 meeting of tho National Eifle Association was the fino spirit of camaradio which existed, and that after all is tho true test of the value of a sport. For many riflemen Trentham acts as an annual magnet, and the N.E.A. meeting thus becomes a meeting place for men who in the passing years havo become fast friends. It is away from tho restraining influence of everyday social life that men aro at their best, and at Trentham a man's best qualities come to tho top. Many friendships are renowed on tho first day in camp, and when the time comes for farewells to bo said regrets are leavened by the knowledge that, all being well, there will bo another happy reunion after twelve months have gono by. Tho importance of the social side of meetings of the N.E.A. cannot be over-em-phasised. For a numbor of the competitors tho 1928 meeting was a very profitable ono. Tho money prizes wore- liberal, and competitors who met with a moderate measure of success had no difficulty in clearing their expenses. There were others who did much more than this, notably E. S. King (Wanganui) and F. H. James (Napier), tho winner and run-ner-up for the Belt respectively. King collected £79 13s during the meeting, and James, who had a remarkable record in regard to tho number of prizolists in which he appeared, collected £53.