TREATMENT OF RIFLE CLUBS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXX, Issue 8493, 4 July 1906, Page 5

TREATMENT OF RIFLE CLUBS.

Appeal by the Member for

Masterton

A Valueless Concession

A fow months ago a deputation representing some of the country rifle clubs waited on Mr Hogg, M.H.R., and askei him to bring under the attention of the Minister for Defence some of the disadvantages under which members were suffering owing to the withdrawal of certain privileges which until recently they enjoyed. One was the right of free travelling by rail to and from friendly matches. This was a boon that promoted a healthy rivalry between district corps, and produced good shooting. The riflemen were able to point to trophies they had won, and they emphatically disclaimed any intention or wish to injure the volunteer movement. Al the same time they could not help noticing the unfriendly way in which they had been treated for some years, apparently with the object of discouraging the formation and continuance of rifle clubs. They contend that, being duly enrolled as Government clubs, and under the defence regulations, with the liability to be called upon for active service, they should have some little consideration extended to them.

Mr Hogg lost no time in communicating with tho Minister for Defence, and sub.-e----quently, in an interview with the late Mr Seddon, ascertained from him that he was disposed to assist the riflemen in the way suggested, and would give their application his favourable consideration. The result of this interview was communicated to the clubs, but no official reply was received until quite recently, when the following came to hand : —

" Defence Ollice, " 22nd June, 1906, "A. AY. Hogg, Esq, M.H.R., " Masterton.

"Sir,—Tn reply to your letter of 17th April last, in which you brought to notice the representations of a deputation of rifle clubs requesting additional concessions in the matter of railway passes to attend shooting competitions, I have to inform you that an alteration in the defence regulations has now been made, under which the issue of free railway passes to rifle clubs is extended to all authorised meetings where Government money is to be fired for.—l am, etc.,

" Albert Pitt, " Acting-Minister of Defence."

This reply appeared so unsatisfactory and so remote from the expectations derived from his conversation with the late Premier that Mr Hogg at once sent the reply to Mr Geo. Hyde, the well-known ex-champion shot, and asked him for his opinion of the concession. Mr Hyde replied as follows : — " Opaki Rifle Club, " Masterton, 28th June, 1906. " A. W. Hogg, Esq.

" Sir,—l am in receipt of your memo, re railway passes for members of riile clubs, and have to thank you for the attention you are giving this matter on our behalf. I may say the so-called concession mentioned does not put us a bit further ahead. As a matter of fact, we already have the privilego of travelling to the annual Trentham meeting with free passes, ancl as this is, I believe, the only meeting where where we fire for Government' money, it confers no benefit. What we want is to have the free passes for journeying to club competions and attend ing other small meetings such as we enjoyed some time ago. We think this would be a reasonable concession, seeing we are a Government corps and under its control. —lam, etc., "G. Hyde." This letter has been sent to the Minister for Defence, Mr Hogg remarking:—" You will observe from the reply enclosed that the concession now granted is of no value whatever- absolutely a dead sea apple. This I regret, especially as the late Premier (Mr Seddon), as Minister for Defence, gave mo to understand that the application was likely to be granted, and I conveyed his verbal reply to the clubs' officers."

There is, we are assured, a strong feeling among members of the House that rifle clubs in- the country are receiving the reverse of fair consideration at the hands of the Defence Department, and several country representatives have assured Mr Hogg that they will co-operate with him in bringing the claims of the clubs before Ministers as soon as Parliament re-

assembles,