N.Z. AIR FORCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 96, 23 April 1940, Page 11

N.Z. AIR FORCE

SPECIAL CLASSES

PROMISING CANDIDATES

VISIT BY MINISTER

The special classes for candidates for admission to the air crew section of the Royal New Zealand Air Force being held at the Wellington Technical College were observed in operation last night by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones). He was accompanied by Group Captain H. W. L. Saunders, M.C., D.F.C., M.M., ' Chief of the Air Staff, and Mr. E. Caradus, Director of Educational- Services and a member of the Air Force Selection Committee (Air Crew Section). . Similar classes are being held in various centres. In an interview with "The Post" Mr. Jones said the scheme was to be extended to enable all air pilot, air observer, and air gunner trainees to take advantage of it. .

"There are 20 of these classes attended by approximately 450 candidates operating throughout the Dominion," said the Minister, "and another 300 are taking the course by correspondence. I am very much impressed with reports I have received of the work being done, and I think a great deal of credit is due to Mr. Caradus and his staff, not only, in establishing the scheme, but also for putting it in operation.

"I have also been greatly impressed by the regularity of attendances at these classes. When you find, as we have done, 21 out of 22 candidates, and in a number of cases 100 per cent, attendance, it shows how keen -.these young, men are. . V '.'Short-term classes are being held

for those -candidates who, though they have passed the University entrance examination, require' to attend a refresher course. Long term classes are being held for those who, possibly through no fault of their own, have not passed the University examination, but who, in accordance with recommendations contained in reports made to me, are being given these classes to enable them to qualify for entrance to the Air Force as pilots or air observers. Many of them have applied in the past and have been turned down because they did not have the educational qualification then required. -Jtfow these classes will give them an opportunity to qualify and eventually enter the Royal New Zealand Air Force. . CORRESPONDENCE COURSE. "Some 300 young men are'receiving the course by correspondence, and the average numbers of papers sent in by them weekly over a period has been 250. When it is borne in mind that the correspondence course entails '■ a minimum of some 12 hours' ■ work a week and that most of .the men concerned are doing the course while'carrying on their civil occupations, then the response must be regarded as very good indeed. . ■, "The existence of this correspondence . course means that no young lad is debarred by reason of the'fact that he is not living in - a centre where these classes are being held. It'should result in quite a large number of young men being made available for Air Force requirements.

"At the Jast meeting of Cabinet the Government agreed to extend the scheme to enable pilots, air observers, and gunners to t take advantage of it, because it was* realised that they would all benefit, even though they had qualified !by passing the University examination some years ago. This will mean that when the present candidates have completed their classes their places will be taken by from 1200 to 1500 others." ■

The Minister said; he was very pleased with the type of men he had seen in the Wellington . classes and hoped he would have the opportunity of visiting other classes elsewhere in the near future. - ' .-,