AIR FORCE RESERVE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 40, 17 February 1939, Page 8

AIR FORCE RESERVE

USE. IN' EMERGENCY

REASONS FOR ESTABLISH-

MENT

An outline of the reasons behind the establishment of a civil reserve of the Royal New Zealand Air Force was given by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) last night. The Minister said that the scheme involved the use in a national emergency of a register containing the names of those citizens whose qualifications fitted them for service in the ground organisation essential to the effectiveness of the Air> Force. .It would ensure that if men had to be called up in an emergency, it could be done with a minimum of interference with in-

dustry,

Mr. Jones said that from an analysis of the applications received for enrolment in the Civil Keserve of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, it was gratifying to learn that the general calibre and qualifications of those who had applied for inclusion in the register fully justified Cabinet's decision towards the end of last year to form a civilian section of the Air Force Reserve. Training of the members of the reserve in peace* time was not contemplated, though certain groups might at a later stage be afforded the opportunity of receiving instruction so that their members would be able, if and when called upon, to adapt their cjivil professions or trades to the Air Force requirements at short notice. Actual flying experience or tuition did not come within the scope of this scheme. .„ >

INTERVIEWING APPLICANTS,

"In order that the Air Department may be1 able to assess the ability of individual members, and thus decide the positions which they might be capable of filling, two qualified men have been appointed, one for each island, to interview the members of tha i-eserve in the engineering sections," said Mr, Jones. "One of the objects of the scheme is to ensure that if menhave to be called up in an emergency, it can be done with a minimum of interference to industry. For this reason, it is proposed, subject to the convenience of employers, that interviews should be held at the place of employment. This will enable the Departments assess the .possible consequences of a man's withdrawal on the works concerned, and thus ensure that in an emergency an undue number are not taken from any one shop or industry. The co-operation of employers will greatly facilitate this phase of the scheme. . "In the meantime, it is not proposed to interview applicants for professional, administrative, and clerical appointments. Further enrolments are still desired from among men in the engineering profession and in the allied trades of fitters, welders, motor mechanics, sheet metal workers, electricians, and the like.

"When it is realised that for every one man in the air at least eight are required on the ground, the need for an adequate number of ground engineers and staff being available will be appreciated. The aero clubs throughout New Zealand are carrying out valuable training work with the assistance arid co-operation of the Government, and the numbers of men 'with flying experience are increasing rapidly. Forms of application are obtainable from all post offices or from the Air Department, Bunny Street, Wellington."