If rifle clubs are really to flourish, especially in the
country, the Government should adopt the spirit of the Birmingham proposal. What is wanted is that the Commissioners oi Inland Revenue should be empowered to issue a shilling rifle license to any man who, on applying, can state that his rifle fires Service ammunition, and that he is prepared to use it for home defence if called on. By this means the Govern- ment would not merely encourage rifle-shooting, but they would obtain a register of all the trained riflemen possessing arms firing Service ammunition throughout the country. The value of such a register cannot be exaggerated. The matter is of such importance that we suggest that candidates on both sides at the General Election should be asked if returned to do their best to secure a shilling rifle license under the conditions named. We doubt any candidate refusing his approval of so useful and popular a proposal.
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