HOME DEFENCE NEED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20545, 3 May 1941, Page 6

HOME DEFENCE NEED

IMPRESSMENT OF RIFLES REQUIRED BY MAY 15 OWNERS TO CO-OPERATE All persons having in their possession .303 rifles of any make, design, or pattern, whether serviceable or unserviceable and ' whether owned by them or by some other person, are required to give up possession of such rifles to the Government on loan for home-defence purposes on or before May 15, 1941, and notices to this effect have been sent out in the Gisborne district.

Already many owners of rifles of the required calibre in Gisborne have parted with their weapons and they have been handed on to the Home Guard for training in musketry. It was made clear in a recent statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P: Fraser, that failure to receive a notice would not exonerate a person from the necessity of handing in his rifle. Whether the rifles were registered or not or merely held on behalf of some other person they must be handed over. Rifles Held on Loan “Each rifle will be held on loan and will be returned in good order and condition or will be replaced by one of similar pattern and of equivalent value as soon as possible after the emergency ends,” states the notice issued by the National Service Department. “Compensation will be paid for any deterioration in the condition of the rifle during the period it is held by the Government. “Any person may be granted leave to retain his rifle until further notice if it can be shown to the Minister’s satisfaction that it is urgently required. For example, a farmer or other owner who is unable to join the Home Guard may apply to retain his rifle to destroy.deer or pigs which, if allowed to go uncontrolled, might seriously affect the productive capacity of the land. "It is particularly desired that no person should suffer personal loss or undue hardship by reason of the temporary loss of possession of his rifle, and any applications for retention on these grounds will receive careful investigation and consideration by qualified departmental officers. Position of Guardsmen “Rifles in the possession of active members of the Home Guard will be formally taken over in accordance with instructions issued to unit commanders, but members may, if they so desire, be allowed to retain possession so long as they are taking an active part in the movement. “On or before May 15, 1941, you are required to either—“(l) Hand in the rifle or rifles in your possession to the nearest police-station, if you have not already done so; or “(2) Lodge with the nearest police officer a written application for leave to retain possession; or “(3) notify the police officer that you are an active member of the Home Guard and desire to have the exclusive use of your rifle; or “(4) if the rifle is not now in your possession you should notify the local police officer of the name and address of the person to whom you have either transferred or loaned it.

“If you have in your possession any .303 rifle parts—such as barrels or other accessories—they should also be handed in.”