DEAL IN RIFLES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3112, 5 November 1913, Page 6

DEAL IN RIFLES.

PURCHASE IN CANADA. (From Dm Own Cobrespondent.l The Wellington Opposition journal made reference on 14th ult. to the purcliase in Canada of a large number of second-hand rifles for the dominion’s defence forces by the Minister of Defence. It was asserted that there was something that required explanation, but the Hon. Mr Allen states that the matter has already been made public, and that as a matter of fact a vote for the purchase of the rifles appeared on this year’s Estimates. Mr Allen states that when he went to the Old Country last year he was authorised to purchase rifles, and while in England he ordered a number of new and second-hand rifles, the latter to be repaired and made as good as .new. When ho got to Canada, however, he w-as informed that the Defence authorities there ha-d got fully 60,000 Lee-Enficld rifles not in use, because it had been decided to use

the Ross rifle, which is made in Canada. Many of these rifles were reserve stock; some had only been used a few times, while others had been in service for some time. After examination by an expert, 15,000 of the best of the rifles were selected by Mr Allen, and purchased °.t the nominal price of one dollar each. It was really, says Mr Allen, a generous gift. Mr Allen immediately cabled to England and cancelled an order that had been given there for 5000 unrepaired rifles of the same class, which would have cost £2500. With the expenditure of another £625 he was thus able to purchase 15,000 really good second-hand Lce-Enfield rifles. The Defence Department states that the rifles are td be taken over only if fhey are serviceable, and that they will be a distinct improvement on the many differ ent styles of arms which senior cadets at present have. Canadians are discarding them only because they have adopted their own Ross rifles, a pattern desirable ;n championship rifle matches, but too complicated in _the sight for use by cadets Bought first hand the rifles would have cost from £3 15s to £4 landed in New Zealand. .The rifles are in the Tokomaru, and should arrive next month.