FARMERS AND DEFENCE RIFLE CLUBS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2784, 24 July 1907, Page 40

FARMERS AND DEFENCE RIFLE CLUBS.

DISCUSSION AT FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

(From Oce Special Corbespondent.) . WELLINGTON, July 3. Major J. G Hughes, D.5.0., attended the larmtrs' Union Conference to-day to «xplam the regulations regarding rifle clubs and to submit plans of miniature rifle ranges. He indicated that it was the intention of the council to classify the districts into sections, the rifle clubs in each "i* 110 " .being identified with sections of the- Volunteer Force in the mobilisation scheme.

Mr Cooper said there were many young farmers, especially dairymen, who were too co^e to the headquarters of a Volunteer crips to form a rifle club. They were «iuite unable to put in the Volunteer duties, hut they would be able to do all that was r.equired of riflemen. Could not something be done for them? . Major Hughes said of course the Volunteer corps would have to be protected. J*cssiWy such a case might be considered if put before the council. Mr Cooper referred to the necessity for training the' officers of rifle clubs to act as officers in the Militia. The lack of training would be a great drawback to the rifle clubs. Mr Stewart (Otago) moved— "That rifle clubs be formed by branches, consisting of members of the union." He appealed to

New Zealanders to take an interest in defence.

Captain Bell (Auckland) seconded the motion, * and said that the state of things existing to-day would ultimately lead to destruction. It was possible to have a number of men who. were good shots, but who were more or less useless. The people of New Zealand thought that- if a man was taught to shoot he was all right. That was not right. They ought to have some knowledge of drill also. The question of defence was. more important even than that of land tenure.

Mr Sanders (Hawke's Bay) opposed the motion, because it was outside the province of the union to form rifle clubs. The Defence Department existed for that. He would not, however, say a word against the training of our youth to the use of the rifle

Mr M'Qu-een (Southland) took the same view.

Mr Lissant Clayton (Poverty Bay) supported the motion, but suggested that it should merely affirm the desirability. Mr W. J. Birch (Marton) said he was in accord with the spirit of the motion, but would rather see the union offer a shield for competitioi amongst its members belonging to rifle clubs.

Mr Clayton's suggestion was accepted, and the motion was passed The President mentioned that a fund had been started with a donation from Mr Buckland, of Waikouaiti, to present a shield. A sum of maaey was subscribed in the room.

Smokers of cigarettes may be interested to know, on the authority of the Colonial Analyst, that a packet of cigarettes for which smokfjre pay 6d contains one-third of an ounce of tobacco, worth, at the very utmost, in New Zealand, " twopence." There was a busy scene at the Wellington Sailors' Rest the other morning. The hall was temporarily turned into an outfitting store. A very large collection of clothing, boots, etc., was distributed amongst the surviving members of the crew of the illfated barque Woollahra. Each man received an ample supply of clothing and underclothing.