APPEAL TO CITIZENS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 272, 12 August 1943, Page 4

APPEAL TO CITIZENS

Getting Lads Interested In The A.T.C. Recruiting for the Air Training Corps has been steady so far this week, but still not good enough if the desired 500 Wellington youths of 16 to 20 years are to be signed up by Sunday next, when A.T.C. Week closes. The A.T.C. Centre has moved to a completely indoor location at Todd Motors, opposite the. St. James’ Theatre in Courtenay Place. Here parents can inspect the examples of trades work taught and lads can look round the more exciting exhibits like that of the gunner's turret from a bomber. Tlio.se interested can sit in the turret and get the feel of firing at enemy aircraft. The Harvard trainer is located outside Todd Motors.

The Air Training Corps has been a tremendous success in Britain; within a week of its official introduction one youth in 10 of those between 16 and 18 had joined up; in five months, the proportion had risen to one in four, and now there are at least 165,000 cadets. A.T.C. training works on the principle that while the practical man knows how a thing is done and a theoretical man why it is done, an A.T.C. trained youth knows both why and how. In whatever branch the A.T.C. cadet is trained he gets to grips with the real thing; theory is not enough. The mayor, Mr. Hislop, speaking at the A.T.C. Centre last night, asked citizens to stimulate the interest of youths with whom they came into daily contact in the A.T.C. There were many great lads in it already. Those who now joined up would have the benefit of this good companionship, of valuable training for the R.N.Z.A.F., if they transferred to this when of general service age. and of a technical background for the post-war era.

Good entertainment was provided with movies, variety, and the Air Force Rhythm Band. Tonight, from seven o’clock, the U.S. Marine Corps Band will play, and there will be movies and general items.