The Serious Side.

This article commenced with the statement that war birds were the best form of defence craft for our country. In other words, we are compelled to consider the military value of this instrument of high romance, this proof of man's intellectual greatness.

Our island country with its tremendous coastline, its mountainous terrain, and its diversity of configuration, is an ideal subject for defence page break

(Photo. Stewart & White, Ltd.)
J. W. H. Scotland's “Caudron” flying at Christchurch.

by aeroplane. We rejoice in the possession of an almost inexhaustible supply of young men who make exceptional pilots. This has been demonstrated by the outstanding successes gained by our lads who have gone overseas for training. But there is the residual difficulty; the men on the ground. When we feel proud of the man at the controls on a swooping and darting Baffin or Vildebeeste, we must remember that he is kept in the blue sky by eight hard-working experts who are doing a work of national value without capturing any spectacular glory.

If a struggle starts again between major countries, it will obviously be long drawn out, and call for a great increase in the numerical strength of all arms of our air defence.

The gist of the matter is—where are the extra men to come from and how are they to be trained? Now, here is the opportunity to fit yourself into a position of value to your country in its time of need.

The method of handling the problem in New Zealand is simple and straight-forward. An Air Force register is being compiled, the idea being to ascertain who, among our population are specially fitted for this arm of the service. Naturally the men wanted are those whose lives have been spent in some trade or profession which gives them the basic technical or administrative knowledge which will be helpful in building up a larger New Zealand Air Force.

The step taken by the citizen is to join the Royal N.Z. Air Force Civil Reserve. As usual, this means signing a form, and these are obtainable at any Post Office, or from the Air Department, Wellington.

The form itself is clear, easily understood, quite unambiguous, and therefore good journalism.

There is this to remember, in peace time, members of the Reserve will not be asked to carry out any training, nor is it proposed to provide uniforms or pay.

The broad principles as to who are the folks who should join, are plain. The main jobs relate to engineering, mechanics, signals, wireless, photography, and so on.

The mechanical construction of an aeroplane is the highest development of complicated structural design known in engineering achievement.

Gun turret of an Airspeed “Oxford.”
(Photo. Stewart & White, Ltd.)

Actually, to-day, a modern aero engine weighs only a little more than one pound for every one horse-power; this is a feat of concentration which makes even the world-famous “A.B” locomotive look cumbrous by comparison.

Therefore, the greatest precision, and the highest grades of technical proficiency are needed for the handling of the repair, upkeep and running of aeroplane mechanisms.

The real idea at the moment is to get a full register of all New Zealand-ers who are specially suited for participation in this work.

The first group required has five subdivisions: Engineering; Armament; Navigation; Signals; Photography.

Men with professional qualifications, in any of these avenues of expert knowledge, will be welcomed, and from these would be filled the vacancies for officers.

The second group consists of the skilled tradesmen. I take at random some of the sub-headings: precision-machine worker; locksmith; blue-print maker; watchmaker; electrician; sail maker; upholsterer; and all the grades of fitters—tool-fitter, constructional fitter, turner, motor mechanic, and so on. Coppersmiths and metal workers are also wanted, as well as carpenters, wireless operators, panel beaters and packers. It seems to me that every craftsman, every “man of his hands” can fill some niche in this national task.

After the ranks of those who know about machines and scientific apparatus, there remains the force who must attend to the administration of finance and supplies.

These will require men with warehouse experience, store controllers and storemen, despatch men, and indeed all those who have had experience in factory, workshop or warehouse, particularly in the handling and distribution of goods; in this case, goods are articles of special equipment.

In particular it is to be remembered page break

An Airspeed “Oxford” in flight.

that age is no bar; in fact, a man of over fifty with sound experience is probably the most valued type.

It is clear that here is a golden opportunity for men of experience and hard won skill, to be useful in the time of our country's need. We have them here; in the Railways Department alone, there is a self-contained industrial world. Looking through the list of occupations contained in the Air Force form, I could not find an occupation which is not followed by some member of the mighty railways brotherhood.

The sad truth is that if we are to be able to defend our country, we must prepare beforehand. The last few weeks have proved in tragic fashion that the world is still a patch-work of panic and passion, and that the vast madness called war may blaze into flame and fury at any time.

It is ground for just pride that our air development has progressed so rapidly in the last decade. It is a greater thought still that an efficient air force for all purposes can be created swiftly in New Zealand; and it is warmly comforting that it can become so strong as a weapon of defence that we could feel secure from attack. Our very position as “a far-flung outpost of Empire”; our very isolation;

A modern machine for N.Z.—the speedy and efficient Vickers “Wellington 1” Bomher.

our distance from the old world populous countries; all these become advantages if our air forces are soundly based and sufficiently implemented. It seems that the formation of this Civil Reserve on the lines set out, is an indispensable preliminary to the inescapable task of making ourselves safe. In a sane world there would be no need for this momevent; as the outlook appears, now the necessity is urgent. The democracies are simply put to the proof nowadays as to their right of survival.

Joining the Royal N.Z. Air Force Civil Reserve is not a patriotic gesture, or a warlike move; it is a common sense act of social service.

One of the gratifying developments in the aircraft arena in New Zealand has been the rapid expansion of the Aero Club Movement. Dunedin led off in January, 1927, and was followed by Auckland and Christchurch in the next year, and now the whole Dominion is covered at all important points.

This movement has entailed a great advance in the number of trained pilots. For the year ending 31st March, 1938, the figures are almost exciting.

The miles flown were 1,805,138, and flying hours came to 19,295. Over eight thousand passengers were carried, and pupils under training at the end of the year amounted to the imposing total of 361.

There were no less than 55 licensed aerodromes, and licensed pilots numbered 546 with “A” licenses and 74 with “B” licenses.

The aero club movement is a healthy one. Apart from the acquisition of practical skill in flying an aeroplane, there is a wealth of social endeavour, and no quantity of actual transport is effected.

By generous subsidies and in other ways, the Government assists the growth of these clubs, and they form to-day an integral part of New Zealand's panorama of everyday life.

Air travel has become a common-place here, and it acts as a subsidiary and valued “feeder” to rail and road transport. The measure of open-air life, and the general “handiness” of the average New Zealander gives him advantages over many citizens of older lands, in the matter of physical and mental suitability for this new method of getting from one place to another. We have already a heritage of air exploits, both civil and military, which is astonishing for such a small population. I believe that the heritage is in safe hands, and that New Zealand as an air-minded land, will take its place among the leaders.