WAY TO PROGRESS

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 71, 24 March 1928, Page 9

WAY TO PROGRESS

DISASTER MET WITH.

Air Minister Justifies Recent

Mishaps.

TOLL, OP DEVELOPMENT.

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received 11.30 a.m.)

RUGBY, March 23. Sir Samuel Hoare, Secretary for Air, speaking at Birmingham, referred to air tragedies. In regard to £ e A SS ■ Flight-Lieutenant Kinkead, he said: "Does the pursuit of li?? JUstlfy sacrifice of human

If it were only a matter of the pursuit of speed or the breaking of a world's record I should agree with those who ask this question.

There is more at stake than the increase of speed, however, and, just as many of the improvements in the motor car engine are directly due to motor racing, bo a definite advance in aeroplane design and engine improveflying WIU rCSUIt fr ° m high 9peed

Let us then, whilst showing the deepest sympathy with Lieutenant Kinkeads family, refuse to abandon the efforts necessary for the progress of aviation and make certain that the sacrifices of those pioneers shall not have been made in vain."

In regard to the disastrous flight of Captain Hinchcliffe and Miss Mackay, the Air Minister paid a tribute to the spirit of enterprise and courage that inspired them, but he warned British pilots against attempting to cross the Atlantic from east to west vntil machines of greater endurance were available.

The risk was at present too great and the odds were too heavy against success. At the same time he declared against any restriction being .placed upon the right of any individual to embark upon such an adventure.

He believed British public opinion would rightly oppose the fettering of the Bpirit of enterprise. Moreover, if trans-Atlantic flights from British aerodromes were stopped British pilots could fly to France or Ireland and make an attempt with impunity.