SHOOTING AT BISLEY

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11786, 24 March 1924, Page 6

SHOOTING AT BISLEY

A NEW ZEALAND TEAM? MINISTER HOPES IT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. CABINET TO CONSIDER MATTER. Tihe Minister for Defence (Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes) has given a very sympathetic reply m connection with a request made to him for Government support to send a New Zealand team to Bisley for Exhibition year. This matter was touched upon at the annual distribution of prizes at Trentham on Saturday by Colonel Collins, president of the National Rifle Association, in the course of his address to competitors. “We have received a cordial invitation to send a team to Bisley,” he said. “The time is very opportune, as Australia, Canada, India, and the Malay States, and the other overseas Dominions, will all he represented. Why will New Zealand be unrepresented? That is the question that arises at once. We have the marksmen here. In 1904 we brought the Kolajpore Cup back to this country. There is no reason why this should not be done onoe again. All that is required is finance.” When they had waited on the Defence Minister, continued Colonel Collins, Sir Heaton Rhodes had given them a very courteous reception. He did not doubt hut that the Minister Would put in a good word on their behalf with tho Finance Minister (Mr Massey. (Applause.) The sum of £2OOO was required. This matter was also referred to by the Minister for Defence later, when he said he had l brought the matter up in Cabinet, hut owing to the absence of Mr Maqsey it had been adjourned Until he could be present. The Government had helped in the past, hut he could make no promise. If the team did go, he hoped that they would be as successful as in 1904, and would again bring the Kolapore Cup back with them to New Zealand, and also fin'd the premier shot of the Empire. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Wilford) hoped the Minister would ask for his co-operation when the matter came up in the House. (Applause.)