MANAWATU DAILY TIMES. TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1920. VICTIMS OF NEGLECT.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1510, 9 March 1920, Page 4

MANAWATU DAILY TIMES. TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 1920. VICTIMS OF NEGLECT.

Some time ago, when the Defence authorities, at the instigation of an oflicer now departed, decided to close the Hokowhitu rifle range, this paper made a sustained protest. Owing to the laeeidity of the men who control rifle shooting in this district, nothing was done to bring pressure to bear upon the Defence authorities. The latter sent Major Wallingford to Palmcrston to report upon the Hokowhitu range. Wo challenged the production of that report, but it did not suit Hie policy of those who were concerned in closing the range to produce it. As the result of our agitation some rather faint-hearted attempts wore made to locate another and more suitable site, but nothing came of it. The result of it is that though we have some of the finest shots in the Dominion in this district, they are deprived of any opportunity of practice, and the Territorials have to

contour themselves with more or less perfunctory shooting at a miniature range. The situation is very unsatisfactory. Our opinion is that at an expenditure far loss than would bo necessary for acquiring an alternative range, the property at Hokowkitu could be excavated and made entirely safe for reliable shots, if not absolutely fool proof. Apart altogether from the question of defence, the pastime of rifle shooting is one for encouragement for a score of reasons. Palmerston is so centrally situated that it is an ideal spot for rifle meetings. It surely is a muddle-headed national policy that conscripts men to; drill, and then' makes no adequate piovision to teach them skill in arms. We do not, however, so much blame the Defence Department, which is notoriously unimaginative and impracticable, as we do local communities which aie .--ten 1 to fake " No." for an answer '.-.here matters of vital concern are involved. In Switzerland proficiency in marksmanship is encouraged by the communes and the State, and in the centres of population special provision s made for ranges on a grand scale. Switzerland was one of the few territories inviolate during the late war. Germany found it advisable not to stick her head into that hornet's nest. She knew that the Swiss were soldiers and marksmen to a man. There is a lesson here for us.