AIR PILOTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1924, Page 1

AIR PILOTS.

INCREASING THEIR, NUMBER

WELLINGTON, February 2-3

From information received in New Zealand it would appear that the Impuial authorities are putting forward proposals which will have the effect of increasing the number of air pilots throughout the Empire and having on burnt in case of need, a thoroughly trained personnel.

The Minister of Defence stated this morning it liad been proposed that applicants for these short-service commissions should ptroceed to England where they would be given a year's course of instruction in the Royal Air Force, followed by four years employment on the active list, after which D-e officer would be obliged to serve for tour years in the Imperial Air Force. Reserve flying officers under the scheme were to go Home at their own expense, but it had not been stated whether the officers, when on reserve, would have to remain in England or be allowed to return to the Dominion. It would be understood, however, that boring the four years period of revive service, the officer would have .o hold himself in readiness to serve "then and where required, “but,” continued the Minister, “we have under consideration a, further scheme, under which il is suggested that the Dominion Government .should bear tho tost of the training of the living oflic. r.- at Home, but details have not yet l.cei worked out.” The Air Council had stated it was very anxious effectively to open to Dominion candidates recruitment for shot 1 service commissions in the Royal An- Force, and with that end in view the Council was preparing a scheme under which candidates would bo selected and medically examined by the Dominion Government, sent to the United Kingdom for a year’s training, followed by four years’ on tlio active list of the Royal Air Force, and then return to the Dominion to fulfil in tne Dominion Reserve the four years liability for reserve service attached to tho short soivite commission. The financial basis of the scheme was broadly, that the Dominion Government should hear the cost of passages to and from Great Britain, and that the cost of training in Britain should ho divided I rtween the British and Dominion Governments in proportion to the value ot tlie active list and reserve service got out of the officer by the two Govei'iilmenls. Beyond those .charges all cost arising prior lu the transfer of the officer to the Dominion reserve would be met from the British funds. Owing to lack of equipment. New Zealand at present could not undertake the complete training of service pilots. Whilst advantage could lie taken of the very efficient organisation existing in Great Britain, there was not .sufficient justification to establish in New Zealand the research and technical branches necessary’ for the training of technical officers. Such a scheme as that which had been outlined would ensure a continuous supply of efficient and highly-skilled pilots for the New Zealand reserve.

“We are prepared to consider the scheme favourably,” added the Minister “when we receive full details as t.i cost etc., but we can come to no definite: conclusion until we have an estimate of how tho expense, is to bo divided between the Imperial authorities and tho Dominion.”