WAR EFFORT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 135, 8 May 1940, Page 9

WAR EFFORT.

MERCHANT SHIPS ARMED. PILOTS FOR TRAINING. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 7. Aspects of New Zealand's war effort were reviewed by the Prime. Minister (Hon. P. Fraser), to-night, when he discussed the Dominion’s contributions to the Empire’s cause at sea, on land and in the air.

After referring to tne part played by the Achilles in the engagement with the Germanpocket-battleship Graf Spec, Mr Fraser said 23 merchant ships had been defensively armed at the Devon port naval base. The ships that had been armed in New Zealand had sailed with gun crews from the Now Zealand Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. “Merchant vessels are being equipped in New Zealand with anti-magnetic mine devices,” the Prime Minister continued, “and one merchantman is being converted into an auxiliary cruiser. “Six hundred men of the Naval Reserve have been called up to provide the personnel in various types of vessels, and others have been sent overseas' for service with such units as the Admiralty lias decided. A number of New Zealand yachtsmen have also been recruited for auxiliary services.” AIR TRAINING. Mr Fraser traced the reorganisation of the Air Force since the Labour Government came into office and said that since the war began nearly 4000 men, comprising pilots and ground staff, liacl been recruited and there were 0000 others who had volunteered, many of whom were still awaiting medical inspection and interview before they could be accepted. “When the N Empire air scheme is in full operation we will require every month 144 men for elementary training as pilots, 42 as observers, and 72 as air gunners,” Mr Fraser continued. “As soon as the expansion of training facilities has been completed, we will be fully training 900 men a year in New Zealand, leaving a remainder of 520 . pilots, 546 observers, and 936 air gunners to complete their training in Canada after partial training in New Zealand. “The Government has decided to maintain the voluntary system of enlistment and a highly satisfactory response has been received,” said Mr Eraser when discussing land forces. “To date 34.900 enlistments have been made. Of these 24.958 have been passed as fit and 2653 as temporarily unfit. Of tlie fit personnel 1800 have been held back for reserved occupations, 15.636 have been despatched to camp and 6720 are available for posting to the Special Force.”