SNIPERS WANTED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 54, 6 March 1939, Page 8

SNIPERS WANTED

APPEAL TO YOUNG MARKSMEN COURSES AT TRENTHAM SPECIAL PRIVILEGES OFFERED (Per Press Association. I TRENTHAM, March 4. An appeal to young marksmen to enlist in sniper platoons now being recruited by the Defence Department was made by the president of the Nation Rifle Association, Capt. A. F. R. Crawford, in an address to competitors before the start of shooting in the services matches fired at Trentham to-day. A week's course of training for snipers is to commence at Trent ham next Thursday. e After referring to facilities and privileges extended to riflemen by the Defence Department, Captain Crawford said that young marksmen could do something i-n return for those privileges by supporting the sniper platoons. He appealed to members of the association and rifle clubs generally to give the project their support and to provide the snipers that were required. It was a wonderful opportunity for marksmen between 16 and 32 years of age to learn sniping tactics. Any individual taking a sniper's course would be provided " ith transport to and from Trentham and would receive volunteer rates of pay and his keep while in camp. ••If war- should come we in New Zealand would not be exempt from the field of operations,’’ said Captain Crawford. “I leave it to you to imagine what the position would be if a hostile fleet came tn New Zealand. with its many isolated harbours, where ships could be snug and let loose machines that would bomb us. Attempts might be made to la-nd men. and that is where our snipers would come in useful. Firing in compulsory service matches will occupy all day. There are 317 competitors in this series, and 39 marksmen are attending the meeting fnr the purpose of taking part in these matches only.