DRIVE FOR AIR RECRUITS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21969, 22 May 1941, Page 4

DRIVE FOR AIR RECRUITS

Alert, Determined Men Wanted Selection Committee At Timaru To-day “Men alert and determined, possessing a power of concentration and a controlled sense of responsibility, are needed as recruits for the flying personnel of the Royal New Zealand Air Force,” said Squadron Leader A. C. McArthur, chairman of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Selection Committee in an interview with a “Tlmaru Herald” representative last night. The Selection Committee is visiting Tlmaru to-day and to-morrow to examine recruits for the Air Force and at the same time is conducting a recruiting campaign for men for the flying personnel. Already there are 60 Timaru men to be interviewed by the committee, but more are wanted and it is hoped many will offer themselves after the recruiting parade of the Air Force Band to-day. The publicity campaign for recruits has become necessary because, before the expansion programme was in full swing, more applications were received than could be easily handled in a reasonable time so that men were getting the idea that it was almost impossible to get into the air crew section and were turning to the other services. But the peak has been reached in the air training scheme in Canada and in the other Dominions as subsidiaries of that scheme, and it is now passible for men, especially those training for pilots, to start training shortly after they have finished their preliminary educational course. With the larger scheme in operation it is possible for more men to be trained, and to keep the supply of men at a steady level the recruiting campaign is being conducted. •Die committee has been on a tour throughout the North Island and has almost completed its tour of the South Island. An excellent response has been obtained to the appeal, towns of a similar size to Timaru having supplied more than 100 recruits. Squadron Leader McArthur said that Timaru was expected to live up to that standard, and he hoped and expected the 60 already offering would be Increased in number to more than 100 after the drive to-day.

Lack of Education No Handicap “The selection committee has been pleased with the type and general standard of men coming forward,” said Sqaudron Leader McArthur. “The standard of education has also been pleasing. At one stage we asked for at least two years’ secondary education for pilots and observers, but now the man with the right qualifications apart from education is given a chance to do the preliminary educational course for pilots and observers and, if he makes a success of that course, he is given an opportunity of training as a pilot. Provided a man is keen and has sufficient intelligence to take advantage of his opportunities, the lack of school education is no disadvantage. “The quick witted young man with plenty of dash, who is a first class shot, good at games and brimful of life will probably graduate to a fighter squadron,” continued Squadron Leader McArthur. "The methodical man, with mental stability, power of leadership, initiative and a sound mathematical education will graduate to piloting a modern bomber plane. The modem powerful weapon they control gives immense scope for the initiative and clever daring of the individual, and that is why positions as pilot, observer and gunner appeal to the young New Zealander. Ultimate victory in the air will be in the hands of those men now serving and those men offering their services. "New Zealand is giving definite and effective support to Britain’s challenge for air supremacy. This support must be maintained,” concluded Squadron Leader McArthur.