AIR RECRUITS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 284, 1 December 1941, Page 6

AIR RECRUITS

more men needed

SELECTION COMMITTEE TOUR

The air force is again calling foi additional recruits. Squadron-Leader A.. C. McArthur, Air Headquarters, Wellington, who is chairman of the selection committee (air crew), said to-day that young men were needed, particularly those of the type suitable for training as pilots. "Thev arc not wanted for immediate entry into camp, but they will be called up when their preliminary training is completed." he "There is a big waiting list at present due to the fine response to the recruiting rally of May and last. This was responsible for about 3000 young men coming forward for examination, over 2000 completing their preliminary education course. These are being drafted into the ground training school at Levin at the rate of approximately 400 or more a month. As Levin can take onlv a certain number at a time, recruits on passing their preliminary course are sent there according to their date of application."

Squadron-Leader McArthur said it was impossible to put into the Levin ground training . station larger groups than could be absorbed by the elementary flying stations that had to deal with the men after their ground training work was finished. In consequence when a large group of recruits completed their preliminary education course all at once

it meant a long wait for some of them before they were ordered to report at Levin. It was necessary, however, for further recruits to be chosen so that they could be started now on their educational training, although they would not be wanted for camp until towards the end of next year.

The selection committee, consisting of Squadron-Leader McArthur and an education officer, will commence a North Island selection tour at " Palmerston North to-morrow. The committee will be at Gisborne on December 17, Whakatane and Rotorua, December 19: Tauranga, December 20; Auckland, December 22 and 23.

Since the commencement of the war Squadron-Leader McArthur has made ten complete circuits of New Zealand and interviewed 20,000 recruits for pilots, observers and gunners.