AGES OF AIRMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21304, 24 December 1940, Page 6

AGES OF AIRMEN

REASON FOR INCREASE MATTER OF EXPERIENCE (By Telegraph.— Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The recently announced changes in conditions for enlistment into the Royal New Zealand Air Force air crew section were explained by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, yesterday. He outlined the reason for changing the maximum age for airmen pilots from 27 to 30 and the maximum for air observers and air gunners from 31 to 32. The minimum age of 18 is unchanged. Mr Jones said the experience of the first year of war had shown that air personnel over the age limits previously fixed had shown themselves to be fully as efficient as younger men. More Potential Airmen “Obviously in view of this experience,” said the Minister, “it would be wrong to keep potential firstclass pilots, observers and gunners out of the Air Force because of a year or two in age. In some cases men otherwise eminently suitable for selection were rejected because they were a few months over the earlier age limits, and it was felt that this was not in the best interests of the Air Force. “Similar steps are being taken in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia under the Empire air training plan. It is anticipated that this will considerably augment our manpower resources in what is necessarily a specialised field. “I would point out that this alteration will in no way affect the assessment of those candidates already selected, that is, a candidate already selected as an observer may not be reclassified as an airman pilot because of the increased age limits. Similarly a candidate previously rejected because of earlier age limits may not be reclassified for selection. It will be necessary for such candidates to renew their applications for enlistment.”