OUTPUT OF AIRMEN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20254, 23 May 1940, Page 6

OUTPUT OF AIRMEN

DOMINION’S EFFORT 2900 MEN ANNUALLY (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, stated to-day that he wished to pay tribute to the work being done by the ground staff of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. “Many applications have been received from these men to be allowed to serve overseas, but as New Zealand, Canada and Australia are combining with the British. Government in an immense training scheme to ensure an adequate supply of pilots and air crews lor the Royal Air Force, it has not been possible to release the ground personnel for service abroad under the Empire air training schemes. The maximum combined effort, of the British commonwealth is devoted to the problem of training, and almost 'half of the total requirements _qf air crews will be .trained far from the zone of active operations and, therefore, entirely free from enemy interference. “New Zealand is taking her full share in this training scheme and when expansion is completed at the end of this year, the annual output will be 000 pilots fully trained. 500 pilots partially trained and 1500 observers and air gunners partially trained, all of whom will complete their training in Canada. “It may not be generally appreciated that a large stall of ground personnel is required to man the various schools necessary to carry out our training commitments. All these men are performing an essential service and are contributing most effectively to the successful prosecution of the war. Without their whole-hearted and effective co-operation, it would bo absolutely impossible for New Zealand to provide her quota under the Empire air training scheme. It must be obvious to everyone that unless adequate reinforcements are provided for the Royal Air Force the service cannot keep up high pressure against the Germans which they are doing at the present time.”