ROLL OF FAME

NZ Truth, Issue 1178, 28 June 1928, Page 8

ROLL OF FAME

Weather Bureau And Tasman Flight It is now definite that Captain Klngsford Smith and his Intrepid companions will attempt ih* Tasman flight and then make « return Journey to Australia In the southern Cross. > THB3 important question xnust natur--1 ally arise In the minds of the publio: "What assistance will the Ntw Zealand Government Meteorological Service -be' to the flyers?" . The Paolflo heroes' experiences on fr the last lap of their epoon-making flight to Brisbane drives home ■with some force the paramount lmportanee of tnVnead far'aeeura-te. 4ad reliable •weather forecasts before any "hbpoff." ;."•. . ■'• •• ■. ■ ■•.. •.' '..••..-.■ . What can the Dominion offer Kingsford Smith and his daring comrades ' when they set out to conquer the hitherto unvanquished Tasman? ' , Not so long ago, the N.Z. tfarmero' Union approached I>r. Hudson, chief of the Meteorological Service for more adequate weather reports. r • . The director was asked to furnish seasonal weather forecasts for agricultural and pastoral pursuits. What happened? . The cynical taxpayer will speedily answer: "Nothing!" And. as usu*t he will ibe right. • Dr.; Kidson ridiculed the idea and said it was impossible, Indicating that he considered the Wragge theory. so \ much moonshine. .',.'" A few months later the New Zealand aviator, D. Mill, complained of the; absence of reliable weather forecasts and stressed that . which is already recognized m almost' every . country save New . .^ Zealand— the incalculable value to aviation of accurate weather foreoasts, -•■ Surely it is time the Government insisted on more comprehensive wei- ■ ther reports and corrected ; - this "hlt-or-mißs*' tendency so marked m the weather bulletins being issued at , the present time? . Must it rebound ' to New Zealand's:; everlasting shame and detrfaient , ajbroad that' the Dominion weather bureau furnished inadequate and Unreliable forecaata to guide such men as ■ , langsford Smith, , Ulm, Lyon and Warner m their memorable Tasman attempt?' >. .■ • ' ■';"'■ ' : ■''•■'■■ -\ '■;> '■ '' ; PIONEERS' OF THE AJ^ T i Perhaps, though, Dr. Kidson and hlB colleagues will' rise to. the occasion and— with superhuman effort—^con- > vince these aerial pioneers of Intej?-. national fame that the Dominion weather service is second to none -in the world. They may do so^ . • ; • Anyway, should they .accomplish their object, no doubt-tit \villvt!& i&& the maximum amount of lucfc* ahd^tn'e help of Pvovidence— and then vtheae weather . iprophets of burs will Undoubtedly relapse once more into their lethargic state. ! '•• . -I--. Inscribed upon that glorious roll pf fame among the pioneering giants of aviation are the names of two of New Zealand's splendid sons, Monerleff and \ Hood. ' Their deaths oannot be laid at :.'"■] the door of the Dominion weather bureau, but such lives are p re- . cious, particularly to a country - fighting so hard to develop "air sense against the handicap of Government inepitude and politl- ; cal apathy. The aviator cannot afford^-ll! he values his life— to overlook any risk, however infinitesimal it may seem. Henceforth the meteorological department of every country must play . a vital. part m the field of aviation and. march m step with the ploneerß of tM air. ■ ••.-,.. ' ■ . :-X : .;■ The country that lags behind m this respect must surely, sooner or later, have upon Its conscience the death of a distinguished airman. ■■ : Must we wait uhtil thla happens?