CALL MADE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 283, 12 September 1939, Page 3

CALL MADE

VOLUNTEERS FOR AIR FORCE. FOR DURATION OF THE WAR. ENTRY OF UNTRAINED MEN. i (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, September 11. A call for volunteers desiring to serve in either the Royal Air Force or the Royal New Zealand Air Force “for the duration, of the war” has been made to-day by) the Air Department. Pilots, air gunners, and observers are wanted, and no previous flying experience is necessary. Candidates must not be less than 17J years of age but under 28 years. They must be unmarried, able to pass the prescribed medical examination and educated up to the standard of school certificate or university entrance examination. Particular emphasis is laid on the necessity for the education qualification specified. Candidates accepted will be trained in New Zealand and, if selected for overseas service, will be granted free passages to the United Kingdom. Pay will be continuous from the date of entry a. to the date of transfer to the Royal Air Force when the Royal Air Fofce rates of pay will apply. This scheme replace? all previous methods of 'entry and is now the only method for untrained men to enter the flying branch of either service. Particulars .and forms of application can be obtained from the Air Secretary, Air Department, Wellington. The Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) said to-day that the men were required for an air crew section of the Royal Air Force formed for the duration of the war. Their training will be carried out in New Zealand, and they will be granted the rank of leading aircraftsman and paid at the rate of £l5O a year, plus,rations and quarters. Their rank on completion of training will depend on the ability shown while under training and the-nature of the men’s duties.

THE SPECIAL FORCE. CIVIL RESERVISTS ELIGIBLE. WELLINGTON, September 11. “Small groups of the civil reserve of the Royal New Zealand Air Force have already been called up, and further calls, particularly, of technical personnel, will be made in the next few months,” said the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) to-night. “As it will he a considerable time before the bulk of the civil reserve •members can be absorbed into the an force any member who desires to volunteer for the special military force is free to do so,” said the Ministei. “He' should first ask permission from the Air Department,, and will either he released from his obligation to the air. force, or advised that his services in' the force will bo required in the immediate future.”

RECRUITING FOR SPECIAL FORCE •THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION. WELLINGTON, 'September 11. The medical examination for men offering their services for the special military force for which recruiting will begin to-morrow was the subject of a statement by the (Minister for Defence (the Hon. If. Jones) to-night. If the men who come forward tor registration are approved bv the 10cruiting officer they will be sent on to the medical boards for medical examination. After the medical examination tho men will bo told whether they ha\ e been passed as fit, and in every case instructed that they should return to their normal work. Later they will be advised by postal notice: (a) If they have been accepted for service. . (b) The unit to which they are to be posted. , . , ~ (c) The date and place at which they are to report. At least one week’s‘notice will he aiven to each man before being called up Onlv men who have passed their i wen tv-first birthday, and have not passed their thirty-sixth birthday, aie eligible to enlist in ibis force.