IN AID OF AIR DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 24, 28 July 1939, Page 8

IN AID OF AIR DEFENCE

In an article, published in "'The Post" today,' on the remarkable expansion of the New Zealand Air Force, speciul emphasis is laid on the training of pilots and the growth of the personnel in general. This is apart from the construction of aero-

dromes and necessary buildings and the securing of aircraft, the first of which is dependent on the amount of money available and the second on the machines that can be spared from the urgent and essential needs of Britain's own air defences. But in this case the man is even more important than the machine, and New Zealand is shown in the arlielo.to be training not only a large personnel for its own requirement, bul also a substantial contingent for llie Royal Air Force in Britain. Since June, 1937, 267 New Zcalanders will have left for England, by the end of this inonlh, and about 100 have gone, or are shortly going, to the R.A.F. after receiving their service training in New Zealand. Next year, when tho new flying school at Woodburne, near Blenheim, is opened, all Air Force officers, whether for JNlewj Zealand or the R.A.F., will go through the^r first intensive training here. In addition to those who make the Air Force a career, with a minimum of five years' service, there are many enthusiasts, keen to serve but unable to join up for that length of time. For these there is the Pilots' Reserve, with an intensive training period of eight months with pay. It is intended to build up this reserve at the rate of 150 a year, but the difficulty of finding time can in most cases be met only by the granting of leave of absence by employers. This has already been given to members of the Civil Service and to employees by certain banks and private firms. It is hoped that other employers will, as far a$ possible, fall into line. The importance of the Air Force in the defence of the Empire is fully realised by the Imperial authorities and the steps taken in New Zealand approved:' It is the duly of every patriotic cilizen to assist the movement to the best of his ability.