GO-OPERATION

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11783, 20 March 1924, Page 11

GO-OPERATION

AND NOT AMALGAMATION SHOOTING MEN AND THE DEFENCE DEPARTMENT. IDENTITY OF N.R-.A. RETAINED. The annual meeting of the National Rifle Association of New Zealand was held at Trentham last night (Wednesday) when President H. T. Marshall, ohairman of the executive, presided over a large attendance. _ When, moving the adoption of tihe annual report and balance-sheet, the ohairman expressed- the keen regret of the association at the absence through illness of the president, Colonel R. J. Collins. COMPETITIONS SUCCESSFUL. Referring to last year’s meeting, Mr Marshall said) the annual competitions had been moat • successful, though the small entry of 250 had necessitated a reduction in the prize list. .... , “It is considered,.’ 'he added, that the high cost of attending the meeting keeps the entries down considerably. However, it is hoped that Uu> Government will restore the -grant previously given for many years, thus enabling the association to develop and carry out its useful work.” Regret was expressed at the death of Captain T. J. Davis, the late quartermaster, and a motion of condolence was passed. The balancß-fiboot showed a satirfaotory credit balance of £162 14s 10dThe membership had attained a total of 550. , x The chairman exhorted all riflemen to enrol new members for the National Rifle Association. PRESIDENT REELECTED. Cblonel R. J. Collins was unanimously re-elected president of the association. President W. G. Fellingham was reappointed secretary,_ and Mr P. Barcbam, auditor. Owing to military regulations, Captain Felton forwarded his resignation as treasurer, which was accepted with regret. The question .of his successor was left with the executive committee. The Territorial vice-presidents (Colonel Hughes, Colonel Oreswell, and Major Dunne)' were re-elected. THE ARMS ACT. In the course of a discussion regarding the administration !of the Anns Act, the ohairman remarked that without doubt many difficulties and anomalies had been created which had never been intended when the Act was passed by Parliament. Complaint was made as to the Charge for the registration of firearms, and one speaker contended that the regulations should not apply to rifle crabs. He contended that this, acted as a deterrent regacding entries by young riflemen, who under existing circumstances were not even able to borrow their father’s rifle. There was no danger, he declared, of 5 " Labour, or any other body for that matter, running amoik with the rifles. (Laughter) For one thing they would not be able to get the ammunition even if they had tile rifles. QUESTION OF IDENTITY. Mr C. M. Moss (Dunedin) declared that overtures should he made to the Defenoe Department for some working arrangement between the department and tbe association He believed that the Minister for Defence would welcome this. There should be one meeting and one meeting only. The present meeting was conspicuous for tbe absence of Territorials. He moved that the Minister should be approached to see whether the present gathering and tbe New Zealand Army meeting could not be run in conjunction next year. The motion was seconded by Lieut. Duncan (W-estport). j Attention was drawn to the fact, however, that this would mean using two distinct types of rifles. ' It was believed b# nnother speaker that an amalgamation of the two gatherings would mean certain reductions. “ON RIGHT TRACK.” Cbl. Hughes (Wanganui) was of opinion that the mover of the motion was on the right track. The motion would not do any harm, he said, as they would have to fall in line with the Defence Department sooner or later. - This would have to .be done if they were to get any concessions in the future. Mr J Kyle (Palmerston North) also gave the motion his support. Captain Masefield (Blenheim) said it would mean parting with the long rifle sooner or later. The trouble was, he added, that they were shooting with one rifle and the territorials with another. The matter had to be considered with due seriousness. If they had to make a change and adopt the shorter rifle, then the sooner they did it, the better. At tbe same time, personally, he would he sorry to part with the long rifle. He would like to see a test of the rifles at same opportune time. It was the opinion of Major Dunns that there could be no question of dual control. 001. Hughes: We are under that discipline now! Major Dunne: 1 do not think that you would get the Headquarters Staff, to agree with that remark, sir. . . The discipline for the senior cadets and territorials meeting is much more rigid than at tins meeting. “WRITING ON THE WALL,” The chairman: Quite so. He added that the writing was to he seen oh the wall. It would not be long before they had to part with the long rifle. < As to the question of amalgamation, he was opposed to the suggestion. He believed that they could not find a common meeting ground. They should continue as present in the speaker’s opinion, as there was a great difference between a National Association shot and a military one: He urged increased membership for the association. The support of the public was also vital and necessary. Within a year he believed that there would be a better state of affairs; the association had only had a year of existanoe as yet. He looked for better treatment from the Government in the future Sir Francis Bell, when Act-ing-Prime Minister, had declared that their request was a reasonable one and not extravagant. There were indications that they would receive nore liberal support later on.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. The suggestion was put forward by Mr J. F. Thompson (Greytown), that they should wait on the Minister when he visited Trentham on Saturday, and palce the position before him. This received tbe cordial support of Mr H. H. Donald (Masterton). The position could be undoubtedly discussed with advantage, he said, with the Defence Department’s officers. It was moved as an amendment by Mir W. M. Luxfbrd (Wanganui), tliat the matter should he left with the executive. He favoured the association retaining its identity, although he supported co-operation. The present proposal would probably mean

that the older shots would be weeded out as they would not be able to stand the discipline. (Hear, hear.) Ho Urged individual support for the asso • ciation. Bach. member should, do hia best to increase the membership. -he motion, to his mind, was far too drastic. “It is co-operation and not amalgamation we want,” declared Mr Don aid, as he seconded the amendment. A CIVILIAN BODY. “That is so,” replied the chairman. Hpw would an amalgamation work, he asked, with such widely divergent viewpoints ? They were a civilian, body and not a military one. lha Defence Department would require an expeditionary standard, while they were more of a home defence body. The amendment was carried by an overwhelming majority, only some four members of thie large roomful voting in favour of the motion. The chairman added that he did not wish it to get abroad that they were not working harmoniously with the Defence Department. The executive had much appreciated all the department bad done. It was stated by Mr Luxford' that hia resolution was not againgt cooperation with tho department, hut he dad not wish tbe association to lose its identity. RESOLUTION CARRIED. . The following motion was later moved by Captain Masefield: ‘ ‘This meeting of competitors wish to a»k the Defence Deportment if they would be prepared (in the event of the association adopting the short rifle) to change one short rifle for each member of a rifle olub.” The motion was carried unanimously. The executive were requested to consider the question of a change over from the long to the short rifle in a motion subsequently moved After some discussion, however, the mover withdrew his motion, and ft was not put to the meeting, which appeared to he very evenly divided on the question.