AIR FORCE CLASSES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21178, 30 July 1940, Page 2

AIR FORCE CLASSES

EDUCATIONAL TRAINING CLASSES IN SIGNALLING (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Monday Further details regarding Air Force preliminary educational training and signal training being given in conjunction with it were given by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, in an interview tonight. The Minister said that, although the educational scheme had been in operation only since the beginning of the year, nearly 500 men had already completed their course. Of these, less than 10 per cent had failed to measure up to the standard required. These men were being given a slightly extended educational course to enable them to do so. At present 2249 men were undergoing educational training in classes or by correspondence. 1290 had been selected provisionally as pilots or observers and 959 as gunners. These classifications were contingent upon the satisfactory completion of their educational course. Since his previous statement, said the Minister, the necessary arrangements for a course of signal training had been completed. He must pay a tribute to the keenness and enthusiasm of the instructors provided by the Post and Telegraph Department. The director of educational services, Mr E. Caradus. had already had an opportunity of visiting a number of these classes and had reported his favourable impression of the work being done. Broadcast Method Some 65 signalling classes were now in operation throughout the Dominion in 36 centres. Arrangements which it was hoped to make with the National Broadcasting Service had been completed, and next month classes in Morse signalling would be broadcast. A complete text-book for the educational course was now in process of being produced. This text-book was based upon assignments of work prepared for men on correspondence courses during the first five months of the year. Every man attending Air Force classes or on the Air Force cori e'-'pondcnce course would be provided with a copy.