IMPRESSING RIFLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23950, 28 April 1941, Page 6

IMPRESSING RIFLES

PRIVATELY-OWNED ARMS ORDER TO BE ISSUED EQUIPPING THE HOME GUARD [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Saturday 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 were 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, presented a major problem. It was, therefore, imperative that every rifle in the country should be made available to ensure that as far as 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 privately-owned .303 rifies of all makes, and unserviceable rifles of this calibre should also be handed in, as it was quite possible they might be repaired. Provision would be made to grant persons who could satisfy the Minister they urgently required their rifles permission to retain them until further notice. Applications for retention of 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.