AN AWKWARD LAW.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 12 August 1908, Page 5

AN AWKWARD LAW.

•■■/.■... AUCKLAND, August 11. The Imperial law ;prevents an armed '•party landing .from a foreign warship, and for this reason thß Cabinet refused for the holding of a rifle "match-; between, the /fleet shootista and the .Auckland Volunteers, but, after much-, negotiation,' the difficulty ' was overcome, -arid the Premier decided .to waive the usual regulation. The"match '.will eventuate on. Thursday. _ August 11. ■ The interpretation- put by the Premier ■of \New Zealand upon the Imporial rogu-. rations with reference to the landing of parties of armed men, and Sir Joseph Wards application of those regulations to the American fleet' 3 team -in 'rifle competitions are by no moans shared )}y the Federal Ministers. They do not interpret the Imperial regulations m any su-di sense, and .the rifle competitions arranged to; take plaice' between and American -teams during .the fleet's -visit to Australia, will not be hampered by technicalities. Tho "Prime Minater said: "I know of nothing in the regulations which prevents rifle competitions taking place. I.am, however, looking into tho whole j question."

Tho Minister of Defence waa even moro specific than the Prime Minister when questioned on the subject. He said: "I am quite satisfied that any desire, m which, the, authorities hero in union with the admiral of the American neat, will not bo hampered by any regulation of .any description with regard to shcotmg competitions. You may rest^ assured; that thora will not bo a lntch caiisad by any technicalities in connection with tho relations, as far as tho Defence Department is concerned Permission to land teama with their •rifles Will require: to be given by the Governbr-Goneralj -but I do not anticipate aiijr -hitch." : ""/It^ r,ather interesting to recall that, Aw tho close of the Boor war, some returning contingents of New Zealand in°W Wer° refused Permission-to-land in Australia, even without- their arms)