FINE REPUTATION

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXI, Issue 8840, 4 November 1942, Page 2

FINE REPUTATION

NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN SPIRIT OF THE PEOPLE VERY LITTLE GRUMBLING The esteem in which New Zealand airmen generally are held in England ultimately helps in maintaining good relations between the British and New Zealand Governments, according to Wing-Commander F. Newell, R.A.F., who has recently arrived in New Zealand from Britain. Wing-Commander Newell was New Zealand liaison officer in the R.A.F. from January, 1941, and in an interview with a Taranaki Herald reporter he spoke highly of the type of airmen New Zealand is producing. Their good reputation in England, he said, facilitated greatly a good relationship between the Air Force authorities here-and in England and materially assisted him in carrying out his work over there. He felt that it must also help to maintain good relations between the two Governments.

Such a reputation was founded on their bearing and conduct, but chiefly on their ability, whether in the air or ground crew. The way they acquitted themselves was a tribute to the very thorough training they received in New Zealand, which was of a very high standard, he said. This high standard had been maintained right up till the time he left England. Asked about the progress of the Air Training Corps in Britain, WingCommander Newell said the work did not come into his sphere, but he could.speak for the value of the training given in the corps. Thousands of young lads were being fully trained so that when they entered the R.A.F. they were' able to go straight on with flying, all the ground work being already well learnt. The corps was well established in all centres in England and the lads were keen and smart.

One could not talk about England without referring to the wonderful spirit of the British people, WingCommander Newell added.

“Things are getting pretty tough over there as regards the rationing of food, but the British people accept it all without grumbling. We in New Zealand are for! unate to have plenty of food,” he said. “Only our tea and sugar are rationed. In England, butter, cheese, meats, jams, tea, sugar—practically all food is rationed. Most of Britain’s food is imported, and imports have had to be cut down so much to save shipping space that the British people are really on short commons.”

The rationing scheme in Britain, he said, was introduced so cleverly that the people had time to get used to a gradual reduction of the various goods.