THE AIR FORCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26545, 21 August 1947, Page 6

THE AIR FORCE

PLANS FOR FUTURE PEACE-TIME BASIS Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, Aug. 20. The commitments of the New Zealand Government under the ’ World Security Organisation or even in respect of Commonwealth security could not yet be reduced to specific military plans, stated the annual report of the Air Department, which was presented in the House of Representatives ' today. The report, added that the position was, however, sufficiently clear to warrant the retention of an adequate nucleus air force without which the task of rebuilding an air force would become immeasurably more difficult and expensive. - “The post-war air force will consist of a regular air force and a territorial air force,” stated the report. “While certain regular units are now established on a cadre basis, it has not yet been possible to re-establish a territorial air force owing to the lack of regular technical personnel. To permit expansion of the air force in the initial stages of an emergency to be accompanied .by a competent standard of supervision, in technical trades, it is necessary in peace to build up a reserve of aircraft tradesmen.

The new air-crew scheme lately introduced by the R.A.F. has .been adapted to New Zealand conditions,” the report continues. “This scheme involves a substantial reduction in the numbers of flying posts filled by officers and creates an ’entirely new system of ranks, titles, badges, and systems of advancement for air crew.” It was clear that a vigorous recruiting campaign would be necessary next year to maintain the air force and that a considerable period of training must ensue before any appreciable increase in flying activities could .take place, it was stated. The air force still retained custody of some 700 surplus aircraft of f varying types which, although they had an original capital value of over £20,000.000, had a negligible disposal value.