CALL-UP OF RIFLES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20540, 28 April 1941, Page 7

CALL-UP OF RIFLES

PRIVATE OWNERSHIP IMPRESSMENT ORDER USE BY HOME GUARD (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Government has decided to take steps to obtain possession of all privately-owned .303 rifles or parts thereof and an impressment order under the emergency reserve corps regulations will be gazetted immediately. according to an announcement made by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, to-day. Mr. Fraser pointed out that there are now at least 100,000 men in the Home Guard and the arming of this large force was a difficult task and, in the existing circumstances, it presented a major problem. It therefore was imperative that every rifle in the country should be made available to ensure that as far as was humanly possible the Home Guard was adequately trained and equipped to meet any situation that might arise. Mr. Fraser added that the impressment order covered all privatelyowned .303 rifles of all makes and unserviceable rifles of this calibre should also be handed in as it was quite possible that they might be repaired.

Provision would be made granting persons who could satisfy the Minister that they urgently required permission to retain 'their rifles, would receive careful consideration All rifles impressed would be held on loan and would be returned in good order or be replaced, Mr. Fraser urged all who had rifles in their possession to take them to the nearest police station without delay.