KEEN RECRUITS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 217, 11 June 1935, Page 9

KEEN RECRUITS

New Zealanders For Royal Air Force

NEW BRITISH POLICY

Several Already on Way to England

Constant inquiries are* received irom New Zealanders as to the terms and conditions governing entry to the Royal Air Force, but there have been more than usual following the announcement by the Imperial Government that the Home strength is to be increased and that 2500 more recruits are required for pilots besides requirements in other classes of the service.

Several keen New Zealanders have gone to England already in the hope of gaining admission to the Royal AitForce. Among them is Mr. Erie Griffiths, of Wellington, who has done some flying in China and who was a member of the last Byrd Antarctic expedition. The best procedure, however, is for applications to be made through the Defence Department in New Zealand, because of the fact that reference is made in any event to the New Zealand authorities by the Air Ministry in England concerning any New Zealander who presents himself for the service. All applications must be made in the first instance to the Director of Air Services. Wing Commander T. M. Wilkes. There is special arrangement as a-privilege for. New Zealanders of the right type to apply for entry to the R.A.F., but in every case the final decision rests with the Imperial Air Ministry. Candidates recommended in New Zealand present themselves before the selection committee in London at their own expense. To the mercantile marine do many of those who have run the gauntlet owe their achievement of the initial task—getting to London. A number of applicants have "worked their passages.” and a number more are doing so. Candidates must be between 18 and 22 years of age, be unmarried at the date of entry, have passed matriculation or its equivalent and have obtained a pilot’s “A” license. Applicants must be of British descent. "It must be clearly understood by New Zealand candidates that the fact that they carry the recommendation of the Director of Air Services, merely ensures that they will be Interviewed by the selection committee,” candidates are informed. “It is no guarantee of selection, nor does it involve the Air Council or New Zealand Government in any liability.” There is no appeal against the decision of the Air Council, nor will reasons be given or further applications be entertained, when applications are declined. High Standard of Fitness. Physical fitness must be highly satisfactory, and those eligible according to other considerations may find the trip to have been in vain because of failure to pass the medical test Medical examination is made of New Zealanders in New Zealand, but that is only as a precautionary measure to obviate the need for unfit persons to make the trip. It has no bearing on the final acceptance or rejection of candidates. It is considered that the standards will not be relaxed to any extent whatever merely because there is a call for recruits. That circumstance may even lead to stricter observance of conditions. The period of employment for those gaining admittance on short service commissions is six years of actual service and four years on the reserve with liability to be called upon at any time. While on the active list, officers may te called upon to serve in any type of machine in any part of the world, either ashore or afloat. At first there is a period of probation in the rank of acting pilot officer. Promotion and Pay. A fortnight’s preliminary training follows at the R.A.F. Depot, Uxbridge, and then recruits are posted to one of the training schools for flying training. The course usually occupies from eight to twelve months, and at the end of that time acting pilot officers are confirmed in their appointment and promoted to the rank of pilot officer provided they are-efficient in every respect. To qualify for promotion to the rank of flying officer an examination must be passed 18 to 21 months after gaining the rank of pilot officer. Officers are required to provide themselves at entry with uniforms of their rank—service and mess dress —and an allowance of £5O is made toward the cost Entries into the various flying schools are made usually twice each year, from March to April and from August to September, though the recent developments probably have led to variation.

The rates of pay should attract the best candidates, as also should the general treatment of officers acting on short service commission. Acting pilot officers are paid £209 in cash and £326 19/7 in all. considering allowances for accommodation, rations, fuel, light, and so on. Pilot officers receive £2SS 10/10 and £375/12/11; flying officers. £325/9/2 and £442/11/3, and £374/2/6 and £491/4/7 after two years. A flight lieutenant receives £422/15/10 and £539 17/11. Those rates are in respect to unmarried officers. A strictly limited number of permanent commissions are awarded annually to officers bolding short service commissions. Provision is made for a flow of officers to civil life, and yet remaining available for service in emergency as reserve officers. Facilities are given to officers to prepare themselves for a eivil career on completion of their service in the R.A.F. Officers transferred to the reserve after full service have been paid a gratuity at the rate of £lOO for each completed year of actual service on full pay after fhe first.