THE AIR FORCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 56, 4 September 1944, Page 3

THE AIR FORCE

CLOSE INVESTIGATION

REPLY TO ALLEGATION

The chairman of the Defence' Forces Personnel Committee, Mr. A. D. Park, issued the following statement today: "In view of recent statements made concerning the activities of the Defence Forces Personnel Committee, I feel it necessaryu to say that the R.N.Z.A.F. is showing the utmost co- | operation in assisting us with our work. . "Before our investigations began we were supplied by the Air Force with full details of all personnel, where they were serving, the number on each station, and even the trades in which they were employed. All records of postings between stations were also' made available. The reorganisation of the Air Force to meet the changing conditions of war has necessitated considerable postings of airmen in New Zealand. These postings have been substantially augmented by transfers of personnel to and from the Pacific which very often necessitate. further postings in New Zealand owing to the complexity of a service such as the Air Force. "I am of opinion that these postings may have given rise to the allegation: that an attempt was being made to camouflage the establishment position of the K.N.Z.A.F., but this is not so. .■■ .. . ' ■ . . . "The committee's inspectors are now engaged on a detailed investigation of the work of every member of the Air Force in the Dominion, and with the co-operation of the Air Staff it is anticipated that surplus personnel will be accounted for and suitably disposed of. This procedure should allay any suggestions that postings between stations is likely to confuse the issue. "In addition, I hope all concerned before giving utterance to uninformed statements, will carefully consider the importance of the general morale and discipline of the Air Force, which it is the duty of everyone to see properly maintained."