PILOTS FOR AIR FORCE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22112, 7 June 1937, Page 8

PILOTS FOR AIR FORCE

MORE TO BE TRAINED IN ENGLAND GROUPS TO BE SENT AT INTERVALS i SELECTION OF ABOUT SEVENTY. FIVE THIS YEAR (PMSB 4.BBOCIATIOK TBLtGHAII.) DUNEDIN, June 6. Arrangements have been mad* between the Government and the i Imperial authorities for more Zealanders to be drafted lot short, service commissions in the Roya) Air Force. This announcement was made in an interview yesterday by the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones). "We have received advice from the Secretary of State for Dominion - Affairs," Mr Jones said, "that the Air Council is willing to accept further candidates from New Zealand for short-service commissions in the Royal Air Force, and the Cabinet - has approved of groups of 12 candidates being selected at from four to six-weekly intervals. These men will be selected from the applicants who have already been interviewed by the selection committee when the original selection of 25 was made, and it is not anticipated that further applications will be invited until about the end of this year. Inquiry from England Mr Jones stated that the Royal Air Force authorities were very pleased with the type of men already sent from New Zealand, and had inquired from the New Zealand Government whether any more young men could be sent to England for training. As a result of the arrangement which had now been made about 75 men would be sent from the Dominion this year in addition to the number who would customarily be drafted into tbt Royal Air Force. After spending four years in the Royal Air Force, during which tune they would receive a thorough, allround training, the successful candidates would be able either to remain in England or to return to iNew Zealand. If they stayed in I England they would join the Royal Air Force Reserve or receive permanent commissions, but if they returned to New Zealand their fare would be paid by the Government and they would join the Royal New Zealand Air Force Reserve The Minister emphasised the value of the scheme not only to the Royal Air Force, but also to air defence, in the Dominion. New. Zealand would be assured of having a rego}> lar supply of young men going £as ward for training in England, and on their return they would assnjt in building up an excellent reserve of pilots which would be invaluable " in time of need.