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Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 4, 6 January 1944, Page 6

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VALUE IN DEFENCE

RIFLEMEN'S ADVOCACY

The revival 1 of interest in rifle shooting on a Dominion-wide basis so that in future New Zealand will have available at ; a moment's notice a large contingent of able riflemen for national defence: was suggested in . a motion carried by about 100 riflemen and club members at the initial open meeting of the Waverley-Waitotara Rifle Club at Waverley this week. The meeting was the first open event to be held in New Zealand for about four years, and it attracted 60 competitors from a wide area outside Taranaki. In addition there were present about 40 former marksmen, club members, and shooting enthusiasts.

After the matches the opinion was expressed that something should be done to" stimulate interest in rifle shooting not only because of its virtues, as a sport, but also because of the importance properly trained riflemen played in the . defence of the country. It was suggested that if New Zealand possessed a large contingent of riflemen, partially or fully trained, she would be a much more formidable foe than: she would have been, had Japan struck when it was expected she would. , Unanimous support was given a motion sponsored by Mr. D. Roots, Patea, in which it was suggested that as the Home Guard was now being disbanded and impressed rifles were being returned to riflemen the National Rifle Association of/ New Zealand be asked to formulate an approved policy that would ensure a revival of interest in rifle shooting among New Zealanders, young and old, as an element of national defence. '