AIR FORCE RECRUITS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24000, 25 June 1941, Page 6

AIR FORCE RECRUITS

SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN

ENLISTMENT RATE TREBLED [BY TFXKGRAPH —PHKSS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Tuesday

An increase of 300 per cent in the rate of recruiting of flying personnel for the Air Force, as the result of the recent three months' recruiting campaign throughout Xew Zealand, was announced by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, to-dav.

"The results of the recruiting campaign for air crew personnel, which commenced in the North Island at the beginning of March and concluded in the South Island at the end of May, are most satisfactory," Mr. Jones said. "The Dominion rate of recruiting during this period was approximately trebled. Training facilities are operating at a high level of efficiency and the output of men is such that we can at all times accept suitable candidates for air crew and certain classes for technical training, particularly radio mechanics. We cannot afford to allow our volunteer reserves in the Air Force to drop below a safe margin, but, judging by the splendid response to the recent appeal. I think we can consider the position as satisfactory.

"The experience ot the recruiting campaign would indicate tiiat New Zealanders respond enthusiastically once the need is made known," added the .Minister, "and the campaign was desinned to give publicity to this appeal, with results I have described. It is of interest to note that during the tour

(if the band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in connection with the campaign. opportunity was taken to give performances in aid of patriotic funds, and large sums of money were raised in this way. Co-operation was also received from the press, radio and other mediums."