DOMINION’S PART

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20992, 20 December 1939, Page 8

DOMINION’S PART

DOUBLE PERSONNEL financial undertaking ’minister reviews progress (By TelegrapH.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The contribution to be made by New Zealand toward the Empire air training scheme was explained by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, tonight. He said that the Dominion had set itself an ambitious programme. New Zealand, said the Minister, was to make full use of its own resources to complete as much training as possible within the country. Available personnel in excess of local training resources would complete their training in Canada. Reference was made by the Minister to the financial obligations which New Zealand was undertaking in augmenting the Empire’s air power. He said that New Zealand’s share of the Canadian training scheme would, during the period of agreement, a little over three years, cost about £7,000,000 sterling. In addition, the Dominion would be required to meet the cost of its local effort. This was estimated to amount to approximately £5,000,000 in 193940, £4,700,000 the following year, and thereafter £3,000,000 a year. Within 15 months it was expected that the air personnel in New Zealand would be doubled and that during the same period the number of New Zealand airmen serving overseas would be nearly trebled. The Dominion’s war effort in the air to date was also discussed by the Minister. “A good deal has appeared in the press about the Empire training scheme which is briefly the coordination of training of pilots, air observers and air gunners throughout the Empire,” said Mr Jones. “New Zealand is to play its part in this Empire-wide organisation, making full use of its own resources to complete as much training as possible within this country. Large Establishment Necessary “This will call for a large Air Force establishment within the Dominion, armed with modern aircraft, which will greatly increase the strength of our local air defence. We are particularly suited to undertake this additional training within New Zealand, as the expansion programme which was approved in 1933 visualised the provision of a big war training organisation. This was considered and approved by the British Air Mission which visited this country early this year. “Much of the* preliminary organisation and work was already in hand on the outbreak of hostilities. Under this scheme, in addition to providing for the defence of the Dominion, the New Zealand Government agreed in the event of war to provide and train 1300 men as pilots, observers and air gunners each year. “The work which was done during the last three years in establishing new stations and training schools, the provision of aircraft and the equipment and training of personnel has proved a most important factor in the rapid expansion of the Air Force during these first few months of the war. Expansion has proceeded and is proceeding most satisfactorily, and today the strength of the Air Force is over four times its peace-time strength. We have under training over 500 technical and nearly 300 flying personnel. “The necessary equipment has been considered and provision made for elementary training aircraft for use in New Zealand. Some of these aircraft are already in the Dominion and others are on the way to meet immediate needs. The de Havilland Aircraft Company, which recently commenced operations in Wellington, will be in a position during the coming year to fulfil our local requirements. Great Britain’s Undertaking “Intermediate training aircraft cannot yet be manufactured within the Dominion and Great Britain has undertaken to augment the supply of these aircraft from overseas sources. I may say here that the present aircraft position within the Dominion is satisfactory. Supplies have come to hand at earlier dates than anticipated. Advanced training and service aircraft will also be obtained from overseas sources and Great Britain has guaranteed delivery of the machines required. “I would like to pay a tribute to the immense assistance the United Kingdom Government is rendering to us in putting into effect this vast training organisation,” the Minister continued. “On the equipment side Britain has undertaken to provide free of cost the greater portion of the aircraft and engines for the iniation of the scheme and has undertaken to make good all wastage, replacements and spares for the aircraft and engines originally contributed free. Great Britain also offers to provide the necessary instructors to supplement those who can be provided within New Zealand. “Not only this, but also Britain pays the cost of pay and allowances and pensions at Royal Air Force rates from the date of embarkation for England of all personnel. This represents a direct assistance to this country of over £3,000,000. “The pay of trainees in Canada will be at Canadian rates until completion of service training and this is a charge against the Canadian scheme. New Zealand accepts responsibility for all pay and allowances while the personnel are serving in New Zealand.” New Zealanders’ Reputations Reference was made by Mr Jones to New Zealanders who are now serving in the Royal Air Force. In all there were approximately 500 New Zealanders serving overseas today. Some of these served with the Air Force during the last war and now hold senior appointments. In the last war New Zealanders achieved an unrivalled reputation in every theatre in which they participated and in this war there had been glowing reports received of ILux activities