R.N.Z.A.F. PERSONNEL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 63, 17 March 1943, Page 4

R.N.Z.A.F. PERSONNEL

INCREASED PAY FOR LOWER .RANKS (P.A.) Wellington, March 16. Personnel of the R.N.Z.A.F. who were previously receiving lower rates of pay than corresponding ranks in the Army are now to receive equal rates. This was announced by the acting-Minister of Defence, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, who said the increased rates would be retrospective to November 1, 1942. In cases where members of the R.N.Z.A.F. are receiving less pay than the equivalent rank i* the Army and with the same domestic responsibilities the pay is to be made up to Army rates, said Mr. Fraser. For instance, a married aircraftman with three children will receive the same pay, wife’s and children’s and domestic allowances, as a married private with three children. The aircraftman, however, will be. required to allot to his wife or other dependants the same amount as that allotted in the Army. Generally these provisions apply in all branches of the Air Force. Mr. Fraser added that men who enlisted for the Air Trainihg Corps previously received pay for a period of three months at the rate of £lOO per annum, which is increased to £l3O per annum at the conclusion of the three-monthly training period. Moreover, there were a number of trades where commencing rates of pay varied from £lOO to £l3O per annum. AH these rates have now been increased to £137, which is equivalent to 7s 6d a day issued to an unmarried private in the Army. Mr. Fraser said an adjustment had also been made in the living-out allowance, which is being increased to the Army rate of 3s a day to a man living out in his own home town and 4s 6d a day to a man away from his home town.

The new arrangements had necessitated the complete revision of pay documents of all personnel, and in consequence arrears of pay and allowances only are now being Issued, explained Mr. Fraser.