THE AIR FORCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 78, 2 April 1941, Page 10

THE AIR FORCE

CALL FOR RECRUITS

PARADE THROUGH CITY

A FINE DISPLAY

The rapid expansion of the Empire Air Scheme has called for an expansion in recruiting for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. As part of the local recruiting scheme, a parade of Air Force trainees from Rongotai was held in Wellington today. Before the parade commenced nine reconnaissance aircraft from Nelson crossed and recrossed the city in formation and attracted so much attention that when the parade moved off from the Railway Station at 12.30 the main streets were well lined by interested members of the public. The parade, which was commanded by Flight Lieutenant A. T. Giles, M.8.E., was led by the Band of the Royal "New Zealand Air Force, the stirring music and the excellent bearing of the six flights taking part bringing complimentary comments all along the route. The parade was preceded by a Traffic Department car with loud speaker attachment and those waiting to see the men march past were told about the objects of the parade, and young men on the pavements were asked to join their comrades in uniform. The parade entered Lambton Quay from Bunny Street, and after traversing Willis Street to Mercer Street, turned left to go down Wakefield Street to the front of the Town Hall. At the Town Hall the band marched on to the pavement on the left of I the main entrance and the flights marched past, the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. Hislop') and the Officer Commanding Rongotai Air Force Station I (Wing Commander T. W. White. E.D.), taking the salute. The column doubled back upon itself after passing the Town Hall and the flights formed up in front of the saluting base to be addressed by the Mayor. | THE MAYOR'S ADDRESS. Mr. Hislop said that he was proud of the opportunity to see and address them on parade. As an old soldier, he could congratulate them on their bearing. The people of Wellington liked to '. see the Air Force blue, and the parade was for the purpose of letting the young men of Wellington know that there was room for many more of them in that uniform. There was a need throughout -the Empire for all the young men who could be got. New Zealand had a part to play and was playing it well. They were all proud of the record of the Royal Air Force and particularly of the part New Zealanders were playing. They- had already set a great example and the parade would help to show the people that the provision of machines was so rapid that more and still more men were required to man them. The call of the country at the present [ time was for all young men who were physically fit and mentally alert enough to fill the stringent requirements of the Air Force to enlist and so enable New Zealand to play its part to the full. | ! In conclusion, Mr. Hislop congratulated the men on their splendid bearing and said that he was sure the other young men of the country would see that they got all the reinforcements they needed. After the band had played the National Anthem, the parade moved off again and marched up Cuba Street to Manners Street, to turn left and pass through Courtenay Place to Kent Terrace, where the men were dismissed.