“MISSING.”

Putaruru Press, 19 January 1928, Page 4

“MISSING.”

IT now seems almost certain that the names of the New Zealand aviators, Captain G. Hood and Lieutenant J. Moncrief, must be added to the list of those who have lost their lives in the efforts of man to obtain a mastery of the air. Time may throw light upon how near they were to successfully accomplishing- their mission of crossing the Tasman Sea. In the meantime the contradictory reports and rumours add to the confusion and leave in almost greater uncertainty how near they came to the New Zealand coast, or whether they did succeed and crashed inland. Controversy will probably rage as to whether the aviators should have been allowed to make the trip. It v.a* not an official trip recognised and supported by the Government. It was a private venture. It was an attempt to accomplish something that no one else had done. It was the spirit of adventure which has played such an important part in the history of the world. What good could come of it may be asked. It must be confessed very little. Greater distances have been flown, and it seems that with the advance commercial aviation is making that the crossing of the Tasman will present no great difficulties in a few years. -But it may- be asked what good does the ascent of ,Mt. Everest or other-snow-clad peaks of great height do the world? What good is there in the exploration of glaciers ? Or in driving huge motor cars at tremendous speeds, just to break records? It is the thrill of adventure. Just as many men play good golf or tennis or bridge, not merely for the sake of the game, .but because they enjoy* pittmg and wits and strength against another man’s—and winning, so does the competition with nature' appeal to others. It is the same spirit which induced men to risk and often lose their lives in the search

for the Poles, explore Africa or to penetrate the forests that cover the basin of the Amazon. It is the fascination of the gamble, of the fight with nature. It is not within the province of governments to attempt to prohibit such acts. They may discountenance them, but they cannot forbid them as a general thing. Where would they start ? If it is prohibited to take a risk flying why should it be allowed to endeavour to break a motor speed record, or to attempt to scale some hitherto unascended mountain ? But this much may be said about aviation efforts such as the attempt to fly the Tasman Sea. They should be discouraged, until such time as the Governments are prepared to make them official flights. No good can come from them. In many cases in Europe the incentive has been mainly commercial. There was nothing of this nature in the unfortunate flight referred to. It was private enterprise for honour and glory. But if the Tasman Sea is to be crossed the earlier flights should be undertaken under the control of governments concerned, backed by their resources, and with every preparation to ensure success or to minimise the risks of failure. It is not because there would be government recognition that there would follow immunity from failure. The risk would remain, but the degree might be lessened.