AIR FORCE EXPANSION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 February 1939, Page 5

AIR FORCE EXPANSION

STATEMENT BY MINISTER SHORTAGE OF INSTRUCTORS. NEGOTIATIONS WITH BRITAIN. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. In a statement this evening, the Minister of Defence (the Hon F. Jones), said that the recent decision to increase the strength of the Royal New Zealand Air Force by the formation of detached flights at Hastings, New Plymouth and Invercargill, was being pushed forward as rapidly as possible. Permission was being sought from the local aviation authorities concerned for the use of aerodromes, and for the erection of the necessary hangars and instructional buildings. These buildings had been designed, and immediately the present discussion with the local authorities were concluded, contracts would be let. It was expected to have the buildings completed in time to house the aircraft and equipment which had been orderedfrom overseas. “One of the major difficulties in the present rapid expansion of the Air Force is the provision of competent personnel for flying and technical instruction," said Mr Jones. “The Government is negotiating for the release from the Royal Air Force of a few of the many New Zealanders serving in the United Kingdom on short service commissions. The Air Council has been most helpful, and an order calling for applications for service in New Zealand has been’ published in the Orders of the Royal Air Force. “The training of mechanics in New Zealand is being accelerated. Two hundred airmdn for the Regular Air Force were enlisted early this month. These airmen, the majority of whom are for technical trades, will do a two months’ recruit course, and will then commence their initial technical training, which will take from six to 12 months, according to the trade.” The Minister said that in spite of every effort, it would be some time before these units would be in a position to accept for training the many enthusiastic volunteers who were anxious to commence their training immediately. “The date on which this will be possible depends on many factors, some of which it is difficult to control,” said the Minister, “but they can rest assured that the Air Department is pushing forward with all speed, and immediately the date is definite, the widest publicity will be given to the matter, and applications will be called for enlistment.”