WAY OF THE WORLD

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 69, 22 March 1934, Page 5

WAY OF THE WORLD

DAY OF CHEAP 'PLANES CAUSES OF BAD TEETH. EDUCATION FOB BUSINESS. (By NELLE M. SCANLAN.) LONDON, February 5. We are entering the era of cheaper aeroplanes. Flying for all is the aim of the movement which is being fostered in many countries, and in some enjoys State subsidies. It may or may not have military significance, but to have an army of young men who can fly will be a great asset in time of national danger. We are emerging from the depression, which put a check to private aviation, but not until there is a demand to justify such a movement I will we have cheap aeroplanes. Recently the United States made an elaborate canvass to ascertain what demand would arise for an aeroplane costing about £150. It was estimated that such a 'plane could be produced, provided tliey were guaranteed 10,000 sales. The result of this canvass was most satisfactory and convincing. Already there is a type of light 'plane in i Great Britain costing £400, but it is not anticipated that there will a reduction to £250 until the demand increases greatly. Even at £*00, which is the usual price for a 'plane, its initial cost and running expenses are not greater than that of a good motor car.

Nearly ten years ago the British Air J Ministry decided to stimulate the light aeroplane movement, first by prizes and later by subsidies through local clubs. At present these subsidies cost Great Britain about £20,000 a year. They are paid in the form of capitation grants for club members who learn to fly, and a further grant in respect of each annual certificate renewed. There are now 410 privately-owned aeroplanes in Great Britain, but there are 2441 pilots with "A" certificates, and 434 with the "B" licensc, which covcrs the carrying of passengers.

The United States has about 6000 t privately-owned 'planes, and 19,000 civi- £ lian pilots, of whom 10,350 can be called i private flyers. In America there is 1 greater freedom for manufacturers and c fewer restrictions generally. < In 1930 France instituted a system 1 by which the purchaser of a private 1 'plane received from the State 40 per cent of its cost, and a further grant of < one franc for every kilometre flown, • this amounting to about one-third of '• the flying cost. There are to-day 700 1 privately-owned 'planes in France. Ger- j many has about 450 private 'planes, and ; though there is no direct financial ■ assistance granted, they are encouraged in many ways. In Italy the Aero Club is granted an annual sum of money, and in addition clubs are helped to buy machines. The number of private 'planes in Italy is about 140. With all this spadework done, or perhaps one should say "cloudwork," and the younger generation growing more air-minded every day, the advent of the cheap 'plane is a certainty within the next few years. Universities and Commerce. The old controversy about whether men with a university education are more or less valuable in commercial life than men with lesser learning, is up again, and all the old arguments are being used. Some say that men of 21 and 22, just down from the universities, are too old to begin. When business firms take university men they want the brilliant ones, those who one day will be earning £10,000 a year. The supply of potential I £1000 a year men is more than adequate. | It is the men who can earn and justify big salaries, who are needed in industry. The director of one .big company has j just announced that it is his belief that in 20 years most of the important positions in industry will be held by men ■with university degrees, but there will always be room at the top for the natural genius, or man of marked ability and enthusiasm. Last year the London University undergraduates registered with the appointment board numbered 1300. Forty found jobs in business, 10 became civil servants, 120 followed scientific professions, 20 took up journalism or literature, but 170.became teachers. What happened to the rest is not recorded. Why Teeth Decay. Mrs. Mellanby, who for 17 years has been investigating the reasons why our teeth decay, hasjust issued her report

through the Medical Research Council. She despises the toothbrush, and says its only value is aesthetic. She says that the prevalence of bad teeth among civilised people is due to excess _of cereals in their diet, lack of sunshine, wearing of clothes, and weaning babies too young. Savages have good teeth because they don't wear clothes, and so have a superabundant supply of vitamin D ;> through sunshine, which counteracts their diet of cereals. The Eskimos, who also have good teeth, enjoy little sunshine, but have no cereals in their diet, but vitamiu D is supplied through fat and blubber. In the little Island of Tristan da Cunlia, in the Atlantic, where the inhabitants have excellent teeth, the fact that they go fully clothed is compensated for by the fact that they have no cereals in their diet. When they have potatoes, they have potatoes, when they have fish, it is a fish dinner and nothing else. One food makes a meal.

Mrs. Mellanby advises civilised communities who \visli to have good teeth

to: Encourage breast-feeding of babies up to two years. Eat more milk, eggs, cheese, animal and fish and vegetable foods, but less cereals. No cereals for the young. Cod-liver oil, or some other source of vitamin A and D to be given to all young children. Now we await the storm from bakers and dentists and millers.