A CHANCE FOR NEW ZEALANDERS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 26, 1 February 1916, Page 3

A CHANCE FOR NEW ZEALANDERS.

WELLINGTON, January 27. Among the 'applications for passports Avhich have reached the Department of Internal Affairs during the last few weeks, have been many from young men, who stated that they wished to proceed to the United Kingdom in order to join the Royal Flying Corps. The Department hag required these men to report themselves at the High Commissioner's office in London, and to mike a declaration that if they were not required for the Flying Corps they would join some other branch of the Imperial service. Recently the Minister of Internal Affairs asked the Minister of Defence !to ascertain from the Imperial authorities whether or not these candidates for admission to the Flying Corps were needed at Home. "Information has been received from the Imperial Government," says the Defence Minister in reply, "that canidates for commissions in the Royal Flying Corps will be accepted under certain conditions. Mechanics cannot be accepted for the Royal Flying Corps at present, as it has been notified that the establishment has been completed. The Imperial Government will grant free passages for officers who are recognised by the New Zealand Defence Department, but should they i prove unable to graduate as military pilots, after instruction, they will be transferred for service with the infantry of the New Zealand expeditionary forces. All candidates must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years, and must pass the usual medical examination and hold a commission in the Dominion military forces. In addition they must satisfy the Medical Board of New Zealand. The Defence ! Department will consider the granting of a commission to any suitable man who may qualify for an aviator's certificate under the rules of the Aero Club, and who fulfils the other conditions, but such man must be British born and the son of British parents Sons of aliens or of naturalised aliens cannot be recommended under any circumstances."

16,000 MEN IN NEW ZEALAND CAMPS. ROUTE MARCH AT AUCKLAND, WELLINGTON, Jan. 31. Next Friday 3,000 troops will be ongaged in route marches at Auckland; on Saturday a similar parade will take place in Wellington. At Auckland 3,000 men will parade, comprising the Fourth Battalion. Rifle Brigade. Third Maori Reinforcements, Ambutonce Reinforcements, and Army Service Corps. The 13th Reinforcements commence mobilisation at Trontham and Featherston on February Bth. When they are completed there will be 9,500 in training at Trentham and 15,500 at Featherston.