The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1922. PIONEERS OF PROGRESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 April 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1922. PIONEERS OF PROGRESS.

In the fitting tribute which the London Times paid to the services o’f the late Sir Ross Smith, occurs a particularly inspiring reference to the animating motive which induces men to do and dare in order that others may reap the advantages of pioneering efforts. “He saw afar,’’ states the Times, “and realised that the hazardous paths he followed must one day be the highway of a new age of Imperial unity. In that faith, with a brave companion, he takes his place in the advance guard of human progress.” Although these eloquent words mean simply that Sir Ross Smith was a “hero,” they indicate in some measure the true meaning of heroism. It was the Hellenes (or Greeks) who first applied the name of Heroes to those who were brave and skilful, and dared do more than other men, the term becoming subsequently amplified to include men who helped their country and left it better than they found it—men willing to face danger and death and to use all the gifts wherewith they were endowed in the service of their country and bettering the condition of their fellows. Down through the intervening centuries for three thousand years or more are to be found outstanding men who have given their all—life included —to the cause of betterment, and those of the British race have ever been “in the advance guard of human progress.” It is that indomitable spirit of doing and daring that has made the British Empire what it is to-day, and what it stands for in the eyes of the world. It is given to the few only to stand out above the others as real heroes in the full meaning of the term, but in every phase of human thought and activity the names of these quenchless and ardent giants, of intellect and courage are to be found writ large in imperishable records in honor’ of their work and as an inspiration to future generations. There is an impelling force that actuates all pioneers, though it operates in different ways, yet the movement is ever onwards. One man fails to achieve success, but another takes up the work and carries it. to fruition,' hence the path of human progress is strewn with mementoes of the never ceasing struggle for mastery. Many inventions that have proved of immense importance have been the accident of a moment. On the other hand there are many lives spent in tireless research and experiment without avail. Not wasted, but foiled in the pursuit of the key which would solve problems for the benefit of their fellows for all time. Pathos and thrills are as closely allied as laughter and tears. It may be that the Empire’s greatness is in no small degree due to the love of adventure derived from the wild and roving Northmen —the forefathers of the British race. Certain it is that when patriotism. progress and adventure are combined there is evolved a typical hero, and such was Sir Ross Smith. Without doubt he envisage;! the centre of our worldwide Empire brought into close touch, even with the remotest parts, by means of. rapid air transit, and felt it to be his work to achieve at least the pioneering nart of such a great and bene ficial aid to progress. He knew the risks and the dangers, not as obstacles, but as part and parcel of the campaign for the conquest of the air. His sad fate indicates in no uncertain fashion that, the conquest is. so far. only partial, and that still other valuable lives may be sacrificed before victory is won—at most a tentative sue cess, for the forces of Nature must ever prove beyond the control of man. It is in the direction of allowing for the full plav of these forces that success will nWmately be achieved. Naturally the pioneers in this new branch of transport have still much to learn, and so have the designers and manufacturers of

aircraft, and it may confidently be expected they will keep on learning and experimenting until the daring navigators can safely traverse the highways of limitless space. All methods of transport have their dangers and their toll of valuable lives. The marvel is that aerial flights have caused so comparatively few casualties considering the tremendous risks they incur. British pioneers have always .shown an undaunted front, and now that Britain .and the Empire are so firmly united the scope for pioneering is far more extensive than ever before —and the need is greater—-but the spirit which impels such men to heroism is the same as ot old—thousands of years ’old —and while that spirit is in evidence all will be well for the Empire and its people.