NEW ZEALANDERS IN ROYAL AIR FORCE

Camp News, Volume 3, Issue 154, 23 December 1942, Page 4

NEW ZEALANDERS IN ROYAL AIR FORCE

Headquarters In London PERSONAL INTERESTS AND , WELFARE The establishment in London of R.N.Z.A.F. headquarters for the United Kingdom was announced yesterday by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones. Air Commodore L. M. Isitt has been appointed Air Officer Commanding the new Headquarters. Mr. Jones said that the rapid increase in the number of New Zealanders serving with and on loan to the Royal Air Force in the United King-, dom, Middle East, and India, had made

necessary a more comprehensive organization to look, after their welfare and interests in liaison with the Air Ministry, in ' conformity with tile similar headquarters of the Royal Canadian and Royal Australian Air Forces established in London. "The number of New Zealanders now serving with or loaned to the Royal Air Force," said Mr. Jones, "has reached a substantial figure. New Zealand airmen- are serving in the United Kingdom, Middle East, and India, and the task of looking after .heir welfare and personal interests .■s now overtaxed the capacity of, the mall liaison, staff hitherto .maintained ..ini. the Air. Ministry by' the Royal New Zealand Air Force. "No ’change of comma is .involved .is the Air Officer, Commanding K.N.Z.A.F. Headquarters, will not .exercise direct ' control over New Zea land airmen serving with the Royal Air Force, but he will, with his staff, be in a position to safeguard their personal interests and welfare. "It is most gratifying,’.’ said Mr. Jones, "that this proposal has met with he warmest .approval from the British

Government as expressed in the following message received from the Secretary of State for Air by the Prime Minister, through the High Commissioner for New Zealand in .London: “We warmly welcome this proposal, which marks ever-increasing contribution to the war of men of the Royal New Zealand Air Force serving ■in the Royal Air Force. Provision for establishment of the R.N.Z.A.F. Headquarters in the United Kingdom is accordingly ,being made in the Empire Air Training Scheme agreement non being negotiated* between representatives of the two countries. 1 would like to take this opportunity to place on record the Air Ministry’s deep appreciation of the splendid way in which the- New Zealand Government and its representatives have responded to the call which has been made upon them, and to let you know that the proposal to appoint Air Commodore Isitt, who is well known, respected, and liked throughout the Air. Ministry and Royal Air Force, as first. Air Officer Commanding R.N.Z.A.F. Headquarters has given special pleasure.”