CANADIAN AIR SCHEME

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21560, 24 January 1940, Page 7

CANADIAN AIR SCHEME

Expansion Of Training Establishments Can Cater For 35,000 Men Annually United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copy rlgh t (Received January 23, 6.30 p.m.) OTTAWA, January 22. The Minister of Defence (Mr Norman Rogers) announced that the training establishments under the Empire Air Scheme have been increased by 13 to 71, capable of producing 35,000 pilots, gunners and observers yearly. He added that the United Kingdom, Australian and New Zealand Governments had agreed that Mr B. J. Roberts, exCommissioner of the National Harbours Board should supervise the expenditure. It is anticipated that 90,000,000 dollars will be spent by September. Air Vice-Marshal G. M. Croil revealed that recruiting will begin shortly. Twenty-five thousand have already applied to join the overseas force. RHODESIAN SCHEME British Official Wireless RUGBY, January 22. The British Government has approved of the establishment of an Empire air training scheme in Southern Rhodesia. The cost will be borne by the United Kingdom Government, the Southern Rhodesian Government contributing thereto. Whilst the equipment and the majority of the instructional personnel and pupils will be provided by the United Kingdom Government, schools to be established under the scheme will be under the control of the Southern Rhodesian Government, and the existing organisation in Southern Rhodesia will be Incorporated in the new scheme. The Southern Rhodesian personnel, when trained, will be posted to the Royal Air Force, retaining their identity, and when sufficient numbers are available will form Rhodesian squadrons of the Royal Air Force recently accepted for service by the United Kingdom Government. The Rhodesian air staff is now in process of expansion, and necessary preparations for the accommodation of the personnel and the reception of aircraft and equipment are actively in hand. The Royal Air Force has acquired land at Nakuru for the Immediate establishment of a large intermediate and advanced training school for pilots, to serve overseas, who already have been partly trained In South Africa.