H—37

The Military Training Act, 1949 Although the Military Training Act, 1949, was primarily designed to establish a Territorial Army, it will provide a means of obtaining the numbers required to build up the Territorial Air Force. At the same time Air Force training, particularly Pilot training, cannot be completed within the training periods laid down in the Act. Consequently, persons liable for training under the Act who wish to serve in the Territorial Air Force must volunteer to carry out the additional training required. Otherwise the resources of the Regular Air Force, which are already heavily strained, would be dissipated by training of no value to the Service. The R.N.Z.A.F. Station Taieri (Dunedin) has been reopened as a training station for this purpose. Certain additional works are, however, required before the desired numbers can be accepted, and economical use made of the station staff and facilities. 10. EQUIPMENT The aircraft strength at 31st March, 1950, stood at 425, but the effective strength is very much less since a considerable number of the reserve aircraft are only fit for reduction to spares. The continued use of obsolete aircraft and associated equipment and supplies necessitates the holding of abnormal quantities of spares, and the retention of a disproportionately large reserve of replacement aircraft. Spares for the aircraft operated by the R.N.Z.A.F. are daily becoming more difficult to procure. The maintenance and storage of reserve aircraft is also a serious burden. All of these factors emphasise the need for early approval of the proposed aircraft rearming programme. No new operational or training aircraft have been purchased since the war. The R.N.Z.A.F. is the only Commonwealth Air Force without some modern types of aircraft. The R.N.Z.A.F. motor transport fleet should be re-equipped with new vehicles to reduce the present excessive maintenance expenditure. Maintenance of motor transport in the R.N.Z.A.F. during the year has been a major problem. During the year, an expenditure of approximately £30,000 was necessary to maintain these vehicles which indicates their poor condition due to long years of wartime service. The reduction to spares of surplus Dakota, Catalina, and Consul aircraft has been completed, and the stock position behind these types is considered satisfactory for several years. The general stock position of airborne and ground radio spares is unsatisfactory. Difficulty arises through the unavailability in the United States of spares for the obsolete types of American radio sets used by the R.N.Z.A.F. The majority of surplus topis have been disposed of by public auction. The contract for aviation fuel and oils and the maintenance of refuelling equipment in the R.N.Z.A.F. has been transferred to British Petroleum Co., but the reserve position is as yet unsatisfactory. Improvements in the availability of clothing and barrack equipment have been evident during the year and it is hoped that supplies will satisfy demand in the near future. The standard of messing provided on stations has been maintained. Civilian caterers, whose service has been satisfactory and economical, will continue to be employed at Shelly Bay, Weedons, and Taieri. During the year, No. 2 Stores Depot, Mangaroa, was closed and stocks were transferred to Nos. 1 and 3 depots. The depot was transferred to the Army Department. Movements Section The R.N.Z.A.F. remains responsible for arranging all overseas passages for the three Services, in addition to shipping of equipment into the Port of Auckland.

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