THREE-YEAR EXTENSION.

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 244, 16 October 1942, Page 6

THREE-YEAR EXTENSION.

"SORE POINTS" TG BE CLEARED UP. I

B.O.W.

RUGBY, Oct. 13.

A conference will be held in London next Friday between the British, Australian and New Zealand Governments to discuss the extension of the Empire Air Training Scheme untii March 31, 1945. New Zealand will be represented by Mr Jordan, the N.Z. Air Secretary, Mr Barrow, and Air Commodore Isitt. The Australian Associated Press understands that it is hoped to make substantial progress at the air conference on Friday to clear up "two sore points" — air-crew promotions, and the low proportion of all -Australian crews and all -Australian squadrons. The High Commissioner, Mr Bruce, will represent Australia. The New Zealand and Australian Air Forces are also likely to win the right to appoint personnel and liaison ofScers to all R.A.F. Commands in Britain and abroad. They hope to secure agreement paralleling the British-Canadian agreement. Wellinformed circles consider that the most satisfactory system would be one under which Australian Air Force Headquarters in London and also New Zealand liaison officers "policed" promotions for their nationals serving with the R.A.F., and had their own promotion boards to which men could apply direet instead of depending on R.A.F. machinery. It is pointed out that some excellent men do not apply for commissions, for which reason it is desirable that the initiative should be taken by New Zealand or Australian Head- 1 quarters from records and also from reports of personnel from officers.