USE OF SCIENCE PERSONNEL IN ARMED FORCES

Grey River Argus, 10 April 1948, Page 7

USE OF SCIENCE PERSONNEL IN ARMED FORCES

Minister’s Announcement I Special to "Argus” I WELLINGTON. April 9. in a statement to-day, the Minister of Defence, the Aon. F. Jones, gave details of the arrangements, forecast in the general statement on New Zealand defence policy, for the employment of technical and scientific personnel in the Armed Forces. “It is proposed”, said Mr Jones, “to establish a Defence Scientific Corps which will be recruited from the Universities’ Graduates with Honours. The conditions of employment in this Corps, which has a special status in relation to the Armed Forces, have been the subject of careful examination by members of the Defence Scientific Advisory Committee and have been drawn up with the object of attracting men with high academic qualifications who' desire to contribute to Commonwealth Defence Science and at the same time, reach high academic status in the scientific world. PERIOD OF SERVICE “Candidates will be required to join the Corps for a minimum period of five years, and must normally not be over the age of 25 years. With the object of ensuring a close liaison with the Armed Forces, the Defence Scientific Corps will be under the administrative control of the Chiefs of Staff, but the selection, training and employment of members of the Corps will be arranged on the advice of the Defence Scientific Advisory Committee. A short period of Service training not exceeding twelve months will be given to members of the Corps on joining, with the object of providing a Service background and familarising members with the requirements of the Technical Branch of the Service which they elect to serve. In the Air Force, candidates will have an opportunity to learn to fly provided their medical grading is satisfactory. “On completion of the Service training, members of the Corps will be employed in one or other of the following activities: “(a) As Scientific Liaison Officers to the Services; “(b) Attached to' the Scientific and Industrial Research Department for research on problems related to Defence Science or with the Universities. “Candidates will be encouraged to pursue further studies and during the course of their service in the Corps will be afforded opportunity to do post-graduate courses at universities, scientific institutions and. Service establishments abroad. If the period for which a member attends such advanced technical training is upwards of three years, then the period of appointment to the Corps will be increased from five to six years. On completion of their initial engagement in the Defence Scientific Corns, there will be adequate opportunities for further employment either by:— “(a) R-engagement in the Corps for continued employment as Scientific Liaison Officers with the Armed Forces or on special defence science projects, or (b) Employment outside the Defence Scientific Corps in Universities, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Industry, or Overseas Scientific Establishments or Industry within the British Commonwealth.’

PERMANENT COMMISSIONS “In addition, at any time during their initial engagement or at the termination of their engagement, members will be eligible for selection as high grade Technical Officers in the Armed Forces on a basis of a permanent commission. “I am sure it will be agreed that the scheme is a most attractive one, that it should encourage highly qualified men to enter the Defence Scientific Corps, and be of benefit not only to them but to the New Zealand Services generally. It must be remembered”, said Mr Jones, in conclusion, “that many of the projects on which members of the Corps will be engaged will be of direct benefit not only to the Services but to industry generally. The community should benefit in every wav”.