AIR CADET CORPS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 250, 4 August 1941, Page 6

AIR CADET CORPS.

STEAPY PROGRESS IN formation.

VALUABLE' TRAINING INTENDED-

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Steady progress is being made in New Zealand with the establishment of an Air Cadet Corps, said the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F‘. Jones) today. The Minister described, it- as the younger brother to the Empire Air Training Scheme, and said it would officially be open, to youths from 16£ to 18 years. The consent of parents must he obtained before caejets could be accepted and the training effected a. preentry course for. youths iln tending later to join, either the air crews, ground or technical staffs for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Minister outlined the scope of subjects covered, stating that the training would be of value ini a, number of civil occupations, and would tend to bring out the best qualities in each trainee. Some hundreds of youths had already been selected in, the main centres, he said, and the appointment of instructors was now well in hand. Units would, be formed where possible in high schools and colleges and a. scheme for training youths in country districts by correspondence courses was nearing completion. The Minister added; that he hoped that in a; few months the, scheme would be in full operation with some thousands of members and undoubtedly it would prove a valuable reserve of keen air-minded young men whose training would prove a real asset, both to themselves and to the country.