NOT READY FOR WAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 262, 23 August 1950, Page 6

NOT READY FOR WAR

AIR FORCE REPORT TABLED MODERN EQUIPMENT NEEDED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 22, New Zealand should build up intimate relations with her nearest neighbour—Australia—for the supply and maintenance of aircraft, in the opinion of the Chief of the Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal Sir Arthur Nevill). In his report on the Royal New Zealand Air Force, tabled in the House of Repreesntatives to-day, Sir Arthur suggests this course to meet special problems created by the maintenance of a modern air force in a country with a light industrial backing such as New Zealand. Sir Arthur states that in the last year progress has been made in the administrative organisation and operational efficiency of the R.N.Z.A.F., and the flying and technical training programmes have been expandesd. Much remains to be accomplished before operational control is fit for war in this theatre, and before any units of the regular Air Force reach the minimum strength and operational efficiency necessary for service overseas. The strength of the Air Force at Jthe end of March was 416 officers and : 3079 other ranks, which is 446 more ’than last year. Sir Arthur states that recruiting has improved since last year, hut is still unsatisfactory, and the wastage rate of skilled men remains high., Nevertheless, the flying.training programme has been doubled and total flying has increased by 25 per cent. An insufficient response has been made to the various recruiting campaigns to obtain' the men needed for proper manning’of* the ground traded Neither the number offering nor the general standard of applicant has been satisfactory.., ... xjj -1..'. '-High Release Rate The most pressing problem in maintaining effective strength is the high release rate, which for the year amounted to 586, many of whom were fully trained. The chief causes of the high wastage are the inability of the Air Force to provide sufficient married quarters and the need, for service reasons, to transfer members of the service. ....... Although the aircraft' strength of the R.N.Z.A.F. at the end of March was 425, the effective strength is much less, as a considerable number of the reserve aircraft are fit only for reduction to spares. The continued use of obsolete aircraft and associated equipment and supplies necessitates holding an abnormal quantity of spares and the retention of a disproportionately large reserve of replacement aircraft. Spares for aircraft operated by the R.N.Z.A.F. are daily becoming more difficult to obtain, and the maintenance and storage of reserve aircraft is also a serious burden. The R.N.Z.A.F. is the only Commonwealth air force without isome modern types of aircraft.