AIR FORCE DUTY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20493, 1 March 1941, Page 7

AIR FORCE DUTY

MANY WOMEN APPLY SERVICE IN AUXILIARY j - ! CHOICE THIS MONTH ' GROUP FOR RON GOT AI '** (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Seventeen hundred New Zealand women have applied for enrolment in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. Of these, 180 will begin duty at Ron-) gotai about April 1, releasing men for overseas training or for service in other armed forces. Women will be taken on at other air force stations as opportunity offers. The ages of applicants range from 111 to 50, with an average of about 30. Mrs. C. I. Carlyon, of the Air Department, who has been in charge of the organisation, said to-day that the quality of the women offering was excellent. Most of them were at present living at home, so there would not be the dislocation of business which had been feared in some quarters. Application had not been accepted from women in manufacturing industries, or from key workers in other trades and professions. The number offering was sufficient to enable a good choice to be made. Closing: of Applications Applications closed officially on February 14, but to meet wastage, consideration of further applications was not being refused. All applications will go before the Air Force selection committee and a member of the Women’s Air Service Auxiliary early this month. The candidates will then be medically examined. Some of those successful, such as shorthand-typistes and waitresses, will then be able to begin duty immediately. Others in more specialised occupations may have to undergo training for periods ranging up to six months. All are required to undertake service in any capacity anywhere in New Zealand for the duration of the war. Sample Uniforms Sample uniforms have already been made up. They are smartly cut from material the same as is used in air force officers’ uniforms. They consist of a belted tunic similar to that worn by airmen, a plain skirt with pleats in front and a blue-grey felt hat turned up at the back and with the air force badge in front. Stockings and shoes will also be provided. The station will be staffed as far as possible by women living in the neighbourhood, as there will be no sleeping accommodation for them. There will be no officers among the women. They will be under the control of air force personnel, but they will be divided into sections according to the type of work they are doing and each section will have a leader.

The main classifications are equipment assistants, clerks, typistes, telephone operators, mess, kitchen and cooking staff, waitresses, medical and dental attendants and transport workers.