NEW ZEALAND’S LEAD

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 283, 24 August 1940, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND’S LEAD

Educational Training For Air Crew Section ADOPTED IN AUSTRALIA Tti a statement last night, the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, gave some further information about the educational training being given to men of the air crew section waiting to be called up for the ground training school nt Levin. Mr. Jones said that at present 2300 men of the air crew section were undergoing educational training in mathematics and elementary science either in classes or by correspondence. As a result, however, of the present tour of the air crew selection committee. which would be completed in Wellington in a few weeks’ time. 700 or 800 men would be added to this number. Tests were being held as the men in the groups completed their courses in order to ascertain beyond question that they were up to the necessary educational standard. Hitherto 90 per cent, of those who had completed their courses had qualified. Almost all of the others, when given an extended course, were qualifying without difficulty. / Action in Australia. 'the Minister stated that the value of tliis form of arpljipinary training, originated and put into operation in New Zealand, was now being realized in other parts of the Empire and that be had been informed that Australia was now adopting and putting into operation the New Zealand scheme. The books and assignments supplied to the Australian authorities had been of particular value and the fact that they had been made available to the R.A.A.F. had made possible lhe immediate introduction of a similar scheme of instruction . Jn Australia. Much time that would otherwise have been spent upon the preparation of the course, had thus been saved, with the result that Australian reservists were already undergoing their .preliminary educational training.. In New Zealand the scheme had already been in operation for some months.

The thorough preparation and careful planning involved in the initiation of flie scheme-ba-d-earned eonsirterable praise in Australia, and. New .Zealand’s liaison officer in Melbourne had just convoyed to the Air Secretary the thanks of the Department of Air. Australia, for the details supplied find for the assignments of the R.N.Z.A.F. educational training scheme*.

The Minister said he trusted that those who sometimes criticized would remember that New Zealand had been (lie first to initiate and put into operation a scheme which had been so favourably commented upon abroad and which, was giving a lead to other-pur-Etoiifl of . the Eniplig,