N.Z. DEFENCE FORCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 January 1939, Page 5

N.Z. DEFENCE FORCE

MORE RECRUITS NEEDED

fPER PRESS ASSOCIATION.!

WELLINGTON, January Hi. Provision for Hie aerial defence of New Zealand had been developing in a. satisfactory way, and much more rapid development could be expected when long distance bombers, now on

order, were delivered next Spring, stated Mr. Savage, in an interview to-day. Thc.ro was no difficulty, he said, about getting recruits for the Air Force, hoeause our young men were naturally interesting in flying, hut Hio position as to the ground forces was not so satisfactory.

There were scores of young men offering for service in the Air Force, Mr. Savage said, and there was not. likely to be any difficulty about getting a supply of men of the right, type, as they were required. The air arm in New Zealand had been making good progress, but. it had been a big task to prepare for the use of long distance machines. However, it now appeared certain that the aerodromes would be ready when the machines were ready for delivery. “That is the job of the Minister of Public Works,” he said, "and when ho tackles a job, it goes th rough.” Discussing the land forces, Mr. Savage said that, the position of the 'ferrite,rials was not particularly happy. The Minister of Defence and his officers had been working to build Hie Territorial Force up to its peace-time st l ength, but. they were up against a lack of interest in the community in general. While many employers were making it easy for young men to attend camps, the average civilian took no interest in the Territorials, and the young men not. made to feel that they were doing the right thing. The aim of the Government, said the Prime Minisrer, was io make the country worth defending, and tire young men who offered to defend it were worthy of respect. Those who were offering their services had to be turned from civilians into soldiers, but the work of the Defence Department did not end there, it was also endeavciiring to make the soldier into a civilian, because it was realised that while li mi'ii offered to defend his country he was al least entitled to his share in it. No young man should be asked to sacritk-e his future to defend others, and the Government was doing its best, to see that the young men who trained as soldiers could also train as civilians. V,”iion a young man offered his services to make the country sale, he deserved to be taught a, trade, so that he could take his place in the community afer his service with the forces was completed. There was no reason why a young man should be handicapped in his civilian career because of military service.

AIR FORCE ADJUTANT

AVELLINGTON, January 16

The Minister in Charge of Aviation (Hon. F. Jones) announced today that for the position of adjutant for the Royal New Zealand Air Force, for which applications had recently been invited, Air E. G. Gedgp, of Oamarit, had been selected. Mr Gedge has had considerable army experience and has been associated with the teii’itorial forces in Now Zealand from 1922 to .1938. Air Jones also announced that the following: appointments had been made to the equipment branch of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the rank of flying- officer; G. M. 1. Adams. W. D. Abernethy. A. J. Baber. F. .1. McWhinnie, G. Ji. Douglas, A. B. Lindop. and R. B. Potter. The Minister added that Air Baber was at present serving as a corporal ;;t the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and Mr Potter had heen appointed to a. short, service commission in the Royal Air Force in 1937. The present appointments to the equipment branch are all non-fiylng personnel.