Officers And Men Leaving The Air Force

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 16, Issue 28, 4 December 1950, Page 5

Officers And Men Leaving The Air Force

Of 417 officers and other ranks ot the Royal New Zealand Air Force who end their engagements in March, only 20 have said they will remain in the service. The Air Force has asked every one leaving to consider staying. Since last April 322 have left the service and with its present strength at only 3400 the Air Force faces an alarming and critical stiuation.Many of the officers and airmen due for discharge have applied to the Royal Australian Air Force for enlistment. The main attraction appears to be the higher pay rates offered in the R.A.A.F.

Other reasons for leaving the R.N.Z.A.F. include lack of housing, Married men say they ai*e not prepared to say in the service at the risk of being posted to a station where no married quarters are available. Technical men have been attracted by the opportunities in the engineering firms.

One non-commissioned officer recently posted to Air Force headquarters, said: “Look at the conditions at Shelly Bay and you will see one of the reasons.”

A senior officer complained that the pay of a comparatively senior officer was by no means adequate to live in Wellington. The Government has already expressed concern about the Air Force’s losses and measures are being taken to reduce the rate. Less than two weks ago houses planned for Air Force stations were increased from 70 to 102 and half these are well under way. The extra 32 houses have been allocated to the following stations: Whenuapai 5; Hobsonville 4; Te Rapa 5; Ohakea 4; Weedons 4; Taieri 10.