REPRESENTING NEW ZEALAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 407, 16 July 1928, Page 8

REPRESENTING NEW ZEALAND

COMPETITION lias been keen for the honour of accompanying Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith on his flight from Australia to New Zealand, and the Dominion will rejoice to learn that a New Zealander is to be numbered among the personnel of the Southern Cross. Mr. T. H. McWilliams, of Wellington, a returned soldier, has been chosen to serve as wireless operator. Flight-Lieutenant C. T. Ulm and Mr. H. A. Litchfield, navigator, are the other members of the Big Four. If Kingsford Smith captures the trans-Tasman laurels as an additional garland, as everyone will pray, the triumph will belong to Australia, which already has so many air victories to its credit. The presence of a New Zealander in the crew will lessen that triumph no whit, but it will give the Dominion a sentimental interest in the venture, and that is by no means a thing to be despised. We remember that two New Zealanders made the first gallant attempt to span the Tasman by air. Unhappily they failed. It is a graceful Australian tribute, therefore, that a New Zealander should be added to the crew.

The chances are in favour of Kingsford Smith successfully achieving that which Hood and Moncrieff failed to do. The most thorough tests are being made, and the aviators will profit by the lessons of the trans-Paeific flight. The Tasman is practically the only remaining sea to be conquered by airmen, and the story of the emprise will be followed, with avid interest by the whole world. There is satisfaction in knowing that a New Zealander will record it.