R.A.F. COMMISSIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 41, 18 February 1939, Page 10

R.A.F. COMMISSIONS

CHANGES IN CONDITIONS CANDIDATES FOR SHORT SERVICE 1 Per I'l tbs Zisscciation. • WELLINGTON, Feb. 17. Changes in the conditions of entry and service on the short-service commissions and general duties branch of the Royal Air Force was announced to-day by the Hon. F. Jones. In future, direct-entry candidates i. om New Zealand will be selected between the ages of 17i to 28 years. The upper age limit has been raised from 25 to 28 years, but according to the new regulations the candidate must have attained his 28th. birthday. Before appointment to a short-ser-vice commission in the R.A.F. a candidate may elect to serve six years on the active list, which is to be followed by four years in the reserve. Under the old conditions, candidates were appointed to short-service commissions and served four years on the active list, followed by six years in the reserve. This regulation will still apply to candidates who do not elect to serve six years on the active list. Officers who serve six years on the active list will be eligible for a gratuity of £5OO. The gratuity for officers who serve four years on Ihe active list still remains at £3OO.

It is understood that Ihe change in conditions is due to the R.A.F. expansion programme. The number of short-service commissions available to New Zealanders will not be known till the Air Ministry makes its allocation. Last year 150 direct-entry candidates were received from the Dominion by the R.A.F. In addition to these 50 candidates were trained at the flying training school at Wigram, also for short-service commissions in the R.A.F.