RIFLE CLUB’S COMPLAINTS

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1934, Page 5

RIFLE CLUB’S COMPLAINTS

OLD AMMUNITION SUPPLIED. MINISTER EXPLAINS POSITION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, March 27. Commenting on rifle clubs’ complaints regarding the quality of ammunition supplied for shooting matches, the Minister of Defence, Mr. J. G. Cobbe, said that clubs were in no different position from that of territorial forces, as both were issued with the same class of ammunition. The department, he said, possessed comparatively large stock of ammunition manufactured prior to 1930, and the necessary ammunition of older make should be used before using the newer. A certain reserve quantity must always be maintained to meet military requirements. If the clubs’ demands were granted tnat reserve would eventually consist of old ammunition. This could not be contemplated. Although the ammunition now being issued was not of recent make it had been tested by the department and classified as serviceable. For economy reasons less srhall arms ammunition was now being purchased, and as the quantity was exceeded by the annual consumption the position should right itself in time.