RIFLE RANGE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1510, 9 March 1920, Page 5

RIFLE RANGE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Now that the Dominion i ifle meeting is in full swing, I think it is an opportune time to ask why is something not being done to provide a rifle range for Palmerston North. True, a few of the old shots are representing the district, and doing their best, under adverse circumstances to uphold past reputations, but what encouragement have they had. or when they tire of the game, who is going to carry on? Without speaking disparagingly of the 25 yards musketry course that the local Territorials and Cadets are put through, I venture to state that a New Zealand champion will never be turned out with sueft limited training in rifle shooting 1 . Surely it is up to the Defence Department to secure a range without delay, or failing that, why not the local bodies take up the sport, if only given an opportunity, and why should a town and district like this be deprived of the privilege of following up one of the cleanest and most skilful sports going, while its value from a military standpoint needs no comment.—l am, etc., EX-RIFLE SHOT. BLANKETS. I (To the Editor.) Sir,—Every man in the retail softgoods trade in New Zealand to-day wonders why there is such an acute shortage of blankets and rugs, when it is a well-known fact that the mills are turning out large quantities of blankets, etc. I have recently, received quite reliable information that the woollen mills are exporting blankets, etc., to other parts of the world, and they are getting much better prices than for the few sold in New Zealand. Now, sir, is this fair to the people of this country? We have the winter nearly upon us, and most of the retail stores have not a pair of blankets of any sort or size in stock. Surely it is time that the export of blankets was stopped, at least, until the requirements of the people of this Dominion are satisfied. If steps are not taken by the Government immej diately to block the export of blankets, thousands of people will experi- | ence some very chilly nights through the approaching winter. No doubt a matter of such a trivial nature as this "will be considered by some board," "somewhere," "sometime or other," and all the time the blankets are going out of the country. The people of this Dominion require blankets, and if the millers will not allow the people to get them, then the people must force the hand of the Government to definitely stop the export to other countries. I hope that the little light 1 have thrown on the subject will help to clear up wrong impressions re the shortage; any woollen mill exporting blankets should be boycotted, until it sells its blankets in New Zealand, and it is time the Mew Zealand Retailers' Association took up this stand.—l am, etc., RETAILER.