AIR TRAINING CORPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25174, 15 March 1943, Page 2

AIR TRAINING CORPS

WELLINGTON SQUADRONS INSPECTION BY COMMODORE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Mar. 14. Cadets of the Air Training Corps were commended for their efficiency, scipline, and bearing by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Commodore R. V. Goddard, at his first official inspection of the squadrons of the Wellington wing yesterday. Air Commodore Goddard, accompanied by Air Commodore J. L. Findfay, commanding the Cehtral Group, R.N.Z.A.F., and Wing Copimander G. A. Nicholls, commandant 1 of the Air Training Corps and the Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, took part in an impressive parade. Approximately 500 officers and cadets were on parade and at the conclusion of his inspection Air Commodore 'Goddard addressed the cadets, expressing his appreciation of the effort they were making. "Boys and men who turn out in their spare time for the good of the cause and for the interest they have in it, do themselves good, and the whole community good,” he said. Referring to the entry of the cadets into the R.N.Z.A.F., Air Commodore Goddard said that at present boys were joining at the age of 18. .! “It may be hat the regulations will; be altered, and young men will not b,e under any military obligation until later,” he continued, “ but you will still be able to join the Air Force if you wish, and if your parents consent. You have •ie choice between continuing training for a civilian trade or profession, and possibly earning more money, or joining the Air Force. I think you should member that there are real advantages in joining the service, which may be more valuable to you than anything else. The flying service helps you to gain two of the most important assets for a happy life—character and comradeship. In the air force you will develop self-respect, self-reliance, and self-control, and those qualities Will be good for the rest of your lives. I would ask you. and your parents to bear this in mind when the time comes to make the choice.” ■ Describin t the success of cadets who had entered the R.N.Z.AJL, Air Commodore Goddard said: “I believe we have had no rejections of . Air Training Corps cadets at the initial training wing stage, and I am confident that we shall get an excellent 1 flying standard. It is probable that the strength of the air force will have to be kept up for a long time. Even if the war ends before some of you younger cadets are engaged in war flying, there will still be plenty of scope for you. The work of establishing peace and good order in the world will be done, I feel sure, under the protective wings of air power, and I hope that .many of you will, in the meantime, have become good airmen by serving'New Zealand in the R.N.Z.A.F.”