N.Z. AIR FORCE

Grey River Argus, 19 March 1940, Page 12

N.Z. AIR FORCE

CALL FOR MEN Reasons for Delajr WELLINGTON. March 18. The reason for the delay in calling up a large number of men who hqve offered their services io the Air Force was explained In an interview by Mr Jones. He pointed out that the long-range scheme must be visualised. The training was intensive, covering in most cases a period in Canada, as well) as preliminary train, ng in New Zealand, and the Dominion aimed not at a spasmodic effort, but at maintaining a steady 'supply of men to go overseas each month. At present, 1,100 men had been medically examined and accepted for training, and awaited posting to training units. They could not all be taken in at once. Air-crew applicants now awaiting an interview totalled 2,600.

I At the recent series of interviews 1 by the Selection Board, the result of the medical examination snowed that out of 1445 men, 1109 passed the high test of fitness, and 336 were classed as temporarily unfit. This was a very : high proportion of fit applicants, when the strict nature of the examination ’was taken into account. Many men 'who could not pass it were thoroughly 1* physically for service in other branches of the Army.

For the week ended March 9, appli- ■ cations for flying training totalled 259, 1 and for non-flying duties 103, while the number now awaiting interviews in respect of their applications for ground duties was 576. These figures showed a splendidly-sustained rate of enlistment despite the fact that men realised they could not all be called up immediately for ti-a<i:ng. In connection with this waiting period, employers could render the Dominion and the men themselves a great service by maintaining them in their jobs, and then facilitating their release when the call came. Every month 144 men were required, for elementary flying training, "42 as observers and 72 as air gunners. Of the pilot personnel, 48 of the total would receive their advanced training in Canada, and 96 in New Zealand. Except for initial ground training here, observers and air-gunners would receive full' training in Canada. “We are rapidly expanding our training facilities, and it will soon t>e possible to provide full training in the Domifiion for 900 men per annum, leaving the remainder of approximately 2200 per annum to complete, their training in Canada,” said Mr Jones. “With the system in full operation, just over 3000 Air Force trainees can be dealt w-tn in the Dominion at any given time. The system takes time to develop to its full extent, hence the reason for holding back many applicants until later in the year, and even in some cases un- ; til* the beginning of the following • year, owing to the very nunwei , of applications which have been re-; cejived. Those who have to stana down for a fairly tong period will not, I am sure, allow their enthusiasm to wane., when they realise that the training for such important duties has to be thorough, and will not be sacrificed to anv necessity for taking in c x cessive numbers in relation to the training facilities available.”