NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13890, 30 April 1907, Page 6

NATIONAL DEFENCE LEAGUE.

DEPUTATION TO HON. G. FOWLDS.

(Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 29.

Tho question of making instruction in marksmanship and military drill compulsory in the universities and public and secondary schools, and Government assistauee toirads the establishment, of miniature rifle ranges throughout the colony, was urged 011 Mr IWlds, Minister of Education, by a deputation from tlie National Defcnco League of New Zealand this afternoon. It was also suggested that the Government ehould include instruction in rifle shooting as one of the subjects under the Manual and Technical Education Act. It was. pointed out that as the .303 rifle was being discarded at Home it would be a good opportunity for tho New Zealand Government to purchase, say, 150,000 of the old issue for uso in this coloily.

Mr Fowlds said eoinc of tho questions raised did not conic within t,ho scope o£ Jiis department, but ho would be very pleased to put tho matters before iho Minister concerned. He (bought it a. gijcd thing that, the youth of tho colony should bo taught to shoot, but- ho looked askance at any compulsory proposal, believing better results could bo got from volunteers than pressed men. He felt favourably disposed towards placing miniature ranges within the reach of every boy. Tho question of includinsr rillo shooting as a subject under tho Manual and Technical Act was ono on which ho was not. prepared to commit himself at • once. All the representations made would bo carefully considcrcd by the Cabinet.