DISPOSAL OF RIFLES
SERVICE SURPLUS STOCKS OPPOSITION FROM POLICE Rec. 9 p.m. CANBERRA, Aug. 20. Though the Disposals Commission has 68,000 surplus service rifles, trouble is being experienced in offerihg them for sale as the State police are opposed to the rifles being distributed. This was revealed by Mr J. B. Chifley at the Premiers’ Conference when he asked the Premiers to take steps to facilitate their sale. He said that the rifles, which were 0.310 calibre, would sell at about £3 retail. The commission had been pestered by primary producers to make weapons available for the extermination of pests. The Government did not think they would get into wrong hands because there were only 300 rounds of ammunition available for each rifle. The Premier of Queensland, Mr E. M. Hanlon, said that there was only a’ limited use for the rifles, and that only an experienced person could handle them. He suggested that they be dumped in the sea. The Premier of New South Wales, Mr James McGirr, said he hoped the Government would not allow distribution without the approval of States. “All we are asking is that these rifles be given to approved people,” said Mr McGirr. “We want something done in reasonable time."
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 26545, 21 August 1947, Page 7
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206DISPOSAL OF RIFLES Otago Daily Times, Issue 26545, 21 August 1947, Page 7
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