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H—37

The activities of the above organization are co-ordinated by the Commonwealth Advisory Committees on Defence Science and Aeronautical Research, at both of which New Zealand has recently been represented. As far as aeronautical research is concerned, which makes a major contribution to defence science, a local Aeronautical Research Committee was established in June, 1947, to advise the Government on these matters and to select candidates for the 'Government scholarship at the College of Aeronautics (U.K.). The R.N.Z.A.F. has fostered a close liaison with the two University Engineering Colleges at Auckland and Christchurch and provides facilities at adjacent stations for workshop practice of aeronautical students. It is hoped that the establishment of the Auckland Engineering School at the R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Ardmore, will lead to a closer liaison, permitting active flying research to be carried out by the Air Force and advanced •students at the college. Personnel The interim-service period expired on 31st March, 1947. A proportion of the personnel serving in the Interim Force have been absorbed in the Regular Force, the remainder elected either to be discharged or to continue on a temporary basis. The manning position at the end of March, 1948, was as follows :

Officers. —Selections of officers for permanent and short-service commissions to fill the bulk of vacancies in all branches were in the main completed during the year, with the result that the staffing in officers has become more stable. Those personnel who .accepted employment in New Zealand National Airways Corporation after the Corporation took over internal and regional services were transferred to the Reserve. Similarly, personnel who accepted engagements in the Air Traffic Control organization have also been transferred to the Reserve. To conform with R.A.F. practice, the R.N.Z.A.F. adopted the new R.A.F. aircrew scheme, which provides for an entirely new system of titles, ranks, badges, and channels of advancement for non-commissioned aircrew. Releases during the year amounted to 307 officers and 58 N.C.O. aircrew. Manning. —Releases during the year totalled 1,632 airmen. This virtually completes the demobilization of wartime personnel and brings the total number of airmen released from VJ Day to the 31st March, 1948, to 33,874. As experience has shown that the inflow of recruits is negligible when publicity campaigns are not operating, emphasis is being given to recruiting publicity. Results to date have been encouraging in certain respects only, as personnel for domestic and equipment trades are not forthcoming in balanced numbers in comparison with those enlisting for technical duties. Under the ■Government-approved scheme to recruit 350 ex-R.A.F. tradesmen in England, 64 airmen have already arrived in New Zealand. These airmen were given special courses to acquaint them with conditions in the R.N.Z.A.F., and all appear to have settled in to their new employment very creditably. To align the ground trades with technical developments and peacetime requirements and in line with R.A.F. policy, the trade structure of the R.N.Z.A.F. has been reorganized and regrouped, and airmen have been mustered where now appropriate to the new trades

5

— Officers. Airmen/ W.A.A.F. Total. Permanent service Short service (two to eight years) Temporary service 142 168 124 231 1,530 652 373 1,698 776 434 2,413 2,847

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