Changed Conditions For R.A.F.

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 41, 18 February 1939, Page 5

Changed Conditions For R.A.F.

Age Limit Raised to 28

NUMBER OF VACANCIES UNKNOWN Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Changes in the conditions of entry and service on short-service commissions and in the general duties branch of the Royal Air Force were announced to-day by Hon. F. Jones, Minister of Defence. In future direct-entry candidates from New Zealand will be selected between the ags of 17i and 28. Tho upper ago limit has been raised from 25 to 28 years. Before appointment to a short-service commission in the Royal Air Force a candidates may elect to serve six years on tho active list, which is to be followed by four years in the reserve. Under the old conditions candidates appointed to short-service commissions served four years on the active list followed by six years in the reserve. This regulation will still apply to candidates who do no* elect to servo six years on the active list.

Officers who serve six years on the active list will be eligible for a gratuity of £SOO. The gratuity for officers who serve four years on the active list still remains at £3OO. It is understood that the change in conditions is due to the Royal Air Force expansion programme.

The number of short-service commissions available to New Zealanders will not bo known till the Air Alinistry makes its allocation. Last year 150 direct-entry candidates were received from the Dominion by the Royal Air Force. In addition to these 50 candidates were trained at the Flying Training School at Wigram also for shortservicc commissions in tho Royal Air Force.