Cadets to keep real rifles

Defence Force cadets will still turn out at Anzac Day parades with "real" rifles. Yesterday's announcement follows a blast from National Party veterans affairs spokeswoman Judith Collins over plans to parade the 4000 cadets, aged 13 to 18, with fake wooden rifles.

Lieutenant Colonel Bob Campbell, Commandant New Zealand Cadet Forces, said the .303 and SLR drill rifles would be withdrawn later this year but the best of them would be refurbished to be available for ceremonial occasions.

-NZPA