NEW AIR UNITS

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21372, 17 March 1941, Page 6

NEW AIR UNITS

BOYS FROM 16f TO 18 CADET CORPS IN CENTRES FOR PRELIMINARY TRAINING (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Sunday A decision to estaDiish an Air Force uaaet Corps in i\ew Zealand for training uoys oetween iuj and 18 was announced today by tne .Minister oi Ueicnce, tne Hon. j*. J ones. "ine corps,” stated the Minister, “will be on somewnat simitar lines to tnat in tne united Kingdom, where the Air Ministry recently concluded arrangements extending the opportunity ol preliminary training to approximately <uu,uuu ooys. the scheme will be aaminisleied by me Royal New Zealand Air ± orce, an officer of Air Headquarters, W einngton, being appointed superintendent of tne corps.” forms, the application for membersnip of the corps, togetner with conditions of service, are now available at main post offices. Application forms are required to be forwarded to Air Headquarters by March 31. Arrangements lor interviewers with and selection of applicants will be made in June. Auer certain aspects ol tne training seneme nave been discussed witn me educational authorities and otners, it is nuped to commence training about August. Hamilton Included Centres lor me corps in me Auckland Province will be at Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Thames and Rotorua. Units of the corps will consist of IUO cadets. The Minister said members of the corps would be provided with uniforms, and grants would be made to local units to meet tne cost of training. It was also intended to issue a lapel badge to members of the corps for wearing with civilian clothing. A full year’s training would be carried out, and would include visits to Royal New Zealand Air Force stations, together with instruction in the foliowmg subjects:—Airmanship, theory oi lnght, elementary principles oi aircraft engineering and maintenance, wireless operator’s course, air navigation, meteorology, mathematics and physics (elementary), physical training, drill and ceremonial, administration. No actual flying training is intended, nor are members of tne corps eligible for war service before attaining 18 years, and then only with the prior written consent of their parents or guardians.