2,100 APPLICATIONS FOR 24 VACANCIES

Northern Advocate, 2 April 1937, Page 9

2,100 APPLICATIONS FOR 24 VACANCIES

N.Z. Youth Rushes Air Force Positions

IPer Press Association. Copyright.'] WELLINGTON, This 'Day.

What the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, describes as an avalanche of applications has been received in response to the Government’s advertisement of vacancies for 12 short-service commissions in the Royal Air Force, with training in England, seven for training in New Zealand, four for pilot officers in the Royal New Zealand, Air Force, and one permanent commission in the Dominion for an' engineer-officer.

Although the vacancies total only 24, no fewer than 2100 applications have been received already, and the closing date is> not until April 5.

“It has been obvious for* a long time,” said the Minister, “that the youth of New Zealand is keenly interested in aviation, but no one could have realised until now how alluring flying has become and how intent the enthusiasm for it is. The replies hold promise of satisfactory results from the Government’s policy of aviation expansion. Seventy More Pilots. “The New Zealand Air Force, at present, comprises 21 officers and 170 other ranks, but provision has been made for the steady building up of the service. The force will require at least 70 additional pilots during the next two years, and it is hoped, in addition, to prpvide opportunity for those able to devote only spare time to flying. , . “It is to be regretted that, on numerical grounds alone, there will be a great deah of inevitable disappointment for applicants. The utmost care will be taken in the selection, and I am confident that the highest possible standard of fitness and ability will be secured for training as military air pilots at Home and in New Zealand,’’ . Pay and Allowances. From the dates oh which, the successful candidates report for their initial training until they are posted to the Royal’ Air Force, they will receive pay at the rate of £l5O a year as well as free quarters and rations or equivalent allowances. An outfit allowance of £l6 is payable on joining the flying training school at Wigram, and flying and working clothes will be issued on loan.

The rates of pay in the Royal New Zealand Air Fobce are as follows: — Pilot Officer, from £3OO up to £420 a year; Flight-Lieutenant, £520; Squad-ron-Leader, £630. These rates are rather less than the scale provided by the Royal Air Force.