RECRUITING FOR AIR FORCE

Southland Times, Issue 24875, 15 October 1942, Page 5

RECRUITING FOR AIR FORCE

Rally Held In City The many branches of service open and the need for more enrolments with the Royal New Zealand Air Force were emphasized by speakers during the recruiting rally for the Air Force at the South African War Memorial at midday yesterday. The Mayor (Mr A. Wachner), Squadron Leader S. L. Gilkison, Flying Officer P. S. Fougere, who has returned from service overseas, and Flight-Lieutenant Gladstone Hill, conductor of the Air Force Band, took part in the rally. The Mayor extended a welcome to the band and its conductor and said that during the last three weeks in a tour of the South Island the band had raised many thousands of pounds for patriotic purposes. He said he was particularly pleased to welcome Squadron Leader Gilkison, as he was an Invercargill man who had risen high in the service. Southland had been well represented in the Air Force in many parts of the world and its airmen had received many awards. The Air Training Corps in Invercargill had shown a wonderful spirit and its members and officers were doing very fine voluntary work. He was pleased also to welcome members of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. He said the hoped the response to the recruiting effort would be very satisfactory. IMPORTANCE OF A.T.C. The Air Training Corps was now a very valuable part of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, said Squadron Leader Gilkison. Through their training in the A.T.C. young airmen could go forward to the operational fields as well trained as the service could possibly make them. Membership of the A.T.C. did not necessarily involve service with the Air Force, and if any member felt he could give better service in another branch he was given every encouragement to transfer to it. Parents whose sons wished to join the Air Force should allow them to join the A.T.C. Although the membership in Invercargill was quite good it must be improved, as with heavier offensives in preparation more air crews and ground staff would be required. The W.A.A.F’s. were another important branch of the service. They had proved most efficient and were valuable in releasing men for other duties. He had noticed many eligible young women in Invercargill and hoped they would join the service. The selection committee would sit in Invercargill tomorrow morning and would interview all recruits. If a man was unfit for the Army, the Air Force could probably find a job for him. Flight-Lieutenant Hill spoke' of the responsibilities of those enjoying life in New Zealand to undertake work in the services if they possibly could. Parents should see that their sons had an opportunity to join the A.T.C.