The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 13, 1927. AERIAL RISKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 13, 1927. AERIAL RISKS.

The frequency of aeroplane accidents of late is drawing pointed attention to tlic great risks incurred in aerial flights, yet a study of the question goes to show that many of the disasters are due to stunting. Probably a great majority of the motor ear accidents to be read of daily in the press are due ehieily to the same cause. The use and not the abuse of aerial machines should be the effort of to-day. A writer has said that in regard to aviation its destiny should he to make all possible use of an admirable means of rapid travel and communication, and to see that aviation is captured for the advance (if civilisation and for the knitting together more closely of the world, and not allow this wonderful development of our age to ho used for the destruction of our civilisation. The British policy lias been to make aviation a benefit and not an injury to the Empire, and it has great possibilities in that direction. Some wonderfully long distance flights have been made to different parts of the Empire —lndia, Cape Colony and Australia—being cases in point. Sir Samuel Hoare, Secretary of State for air, has said there is no reason why London should not in point of time he brought as near to Bombay as it was to Edinburgh, little more than a hundred years ago. The civil side of aviation is what commends it. and in its development there need he no stunting. The man who uses a motor-cycle for speed purposes merely runs great risks in his mad desire to break records. So with aerial flights, the record breaker runs risks no less dangerous than the man on terra firm a. Machines have their limitations, and according to varying atmospheric conditions they are still further limited. The young man, keen to excel in an aerial flight does not appear to exercise enough judgment in these matters. He takes risks and liberties which are too often attended with disaster. But it is the same, more or less with all sport, and there is room for the sporting instinct and to spare in pursuing aviation. There will always he those who will not count the cast. It appears very foolhardy to the distant onlooker, yet we know there is a spur in the appreciation of the public. The people love a hero, and we can understand the spirit in which the French flyers went forth. Their compatriots were frantic?

with joy when the news which proved to he false, announced their safe arrival in the face of serious odds. Men do and dare for the plaudits of the people in all spheres and realms. 11 is a trail of human nature, and the winning of renown is precious to many in every rare. Il is hard to restrain, or restrict. The voyager lo the distant pole, facing fearful odds, is as great a hero as any. yet so many of these plucky people have failed to return. Impossible tasks are often attempted. It is the same all the world over. The latest victims taking aerial risks went cheerfully on their nay full of hope and e nilidem o. Their spirit, so typical of the nation, was good to see, hut it is a pity it was not exercised in a more positive manner. Their failure has told us that flying machines must lie more perfected still to stand the special tests sought to be accomplished. But we are satislied the failure ill this instance does not (lose the ill'ort others will attempt the task, pr.liting by the experience of this failure.