RESERVE UNITS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19699, 3 August 1938, Page 6

RESERVE UNITS

DOMINION "AIR FORCE

SERVICE IN EMERGENCY

PILOTS AND RADIOMEN

DEVELOPMENT SCHEMI

(Pit Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, this day. In an interview, the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, said the general programme for the development of the Royal New Zealand An Force includes the provision ol reserves of personnel who will be available for air force service in emergency.

These reserves will be built up partly from the personnel who ■ have concluded a period of service with the air force, and partly from the personnel in civil employment, whose normal occupation provides the necessary basis for an air force trade, it is 'from this latter class that the civil reserve will be drawn. As its name implies, the members will remain civilians, but they will be asked to undertake that, in the event of hostilities, they will join the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

It is proposed to start immediately with the formation of a reserve of wireless operators, and to invite applications from those who have reached a certain standard of proficiency. Instruction in the special requirements of air force operating will be given by means of exercises conducted from the wireless stations of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Opportunities will also be given, whenever possible, for members to obtain a limited amount of experience in the air. It is hoped that the exercises will prove of interest to members, while at the same time preparing them to take their place in the defence of the country in an emergency.

Entirely Civilian

The organisation will be entirely civilian, the only links with the air force being the obligations which members undertake, and the opportunities which the air force will offer for instruction in service methods of operating. At the same time, wireless operators required for the territorial air force squadrons and for other branches of the reserve of the Royal New Zealand Air Force wall, whereever possible, be selected from applicants who are already members of the civilian reserve.

After referring to the qualification necessary, the Minister expressed the hope that all with the necessary technical qualifications will take advantage of the opportunity offered to help towards the defence of the country.