BRITISH APATHY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8530, 9 April 1913, Page 6

BRITISH APATHY.

Tho cables on Monday announcing ihat tho loading newspapers in London had started a crusade to rouse the public to a sense of responsibility in aviation - matters seemed incomprehensible in view of Mr Churchill's recent'statement regarding'tho activity of the War Office in that direction.' An article in the ''Daily , Mail " explains the position. The writer says:—" The interest taken by tho public in flying is scarcely any greater now than it was two .years ago. This is not only a depressing, it is a dangerous symptom' of national indifference. ' When, one chinks of the crowds at tho Paris Aero .Exposition,' their eager curiosity, their pride in French achievement, one asks oneself in despair, Why are English people so apathetic? We have some of the finest fliers in the world. We hare energetic, persevering .constructors. We. have clever designers who are only waiting for chances to put their ideas to tho test. We have much to be proud of, as woll aa tho French. Yet the mass of us simply pay no attention fcOsthn science which ia already begining to revolutionise warfare; do nothing to encourage the men who are jstriving their utmost, spending their all, to keep Britain's 'end up'; will not evon spare a shilling and an hour to go and ace .what stage of development these immensely interesting machines have reached. It is vitally important for us to keep up with the ad-: vancea in aeroplane building. For these are no toys, no trick machines/ They are solid ; they have come to stay. [ And we must, have them. If we are ' to have them before it is too late the' nation must'give the Government a --' lead." ' -. / y