RANGELESS DEFENDERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11870, 23 January 1902, Page 4

RANGELESS DEFENDERS.

The local Defence Force authorities have at last tabooed the Mount Eden range for rifle-practice at distances of over 200 yards. Nobody would blame them for this since the range has been notoriously and increasingly dangerous for a number I of years, and the prohibition has been literally forced by circumstances upon the Brigade Office. But it is altogethei unseemly and untimelynot to use harsher words —that over a thousand men should be giving their time and trouble to the learning of national defence and have only a pistol-ground for acquiring skill with the rifle. Several years ago the Defence Department was about to . find a safe and suitable range in some other suburban locality. Penrose was favourably spoken of, but the financial difficulty which almost invariably arises when Auckland needs Government attention intervened and nothing definite was done. The result is to be seen in the present lamentable and demoralising state of affairs which tends to keep good men out of the volunteers and to lower the efficiency of those who join. It might be thought that the present period of repeated military excitement and of very real national danger would be marked by increase in the activity and intelligence of the Defence Department. On the contrary. We hear of little, if any, improvement being made in its methods. '■'■. The Minister for Defence seems to think that rifle-skill is as unnecessary for the volunteer as experience is in the officering of v contingent-companies. It is no thanks to Mr. Seddon if our volunteers are generally effective and our contingent-officers generally informed in their duties.