NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 54, 27 November 1928, Page 10

NOTES OF THE DAY

There can be few who are not glad to hear that the kinema film of Captain Scott’s expedition to the South Pole has at last found a safe resting-place on Biitish soil. However, it comes as a surprise to read that a record of national historical impoitance such as this had to be purchased in open competition with other nations. But for the generosity of a member of the expedition it is more than likely that this film would have gone to another nation whose interest in it must necessarily be more commercial than sentimental. By all means recompense the owner of material that merits safe keeping for the benefit of posterity, but methods should be devised whereby film records should not be lost to the future through short-sighted laxity in the present. We have to-day a series of well-devised regulations whereby the British Museum receives a copy of practically every conceivable type of printed matter. One would have thought these regulations might be extended to include copies of films of historic, scientific, or national importance. I *■ ♦ * *

In addition to Scott’s film there are already a number of films such as the excellent records of the Mount Everest expedition that could be included in this category; not to mention certain routine films that should be taken from time to time depicting such persons as His Majesty the King and other well-known personages of the Empire carrying out the normal duties incidental to their lives. From an educational point of view these films would be of priceless value a century or two further on. Who amongst us would not have felt that history was not such a dead-as-dust subject after all if we could have only been able to see a film of the real Drake at that momentous game of bowls or Cardinal Wolseley in a few of the more critical moments of his career.

If Captain Hurley’s flight does nothing else it cannot fail to emphasise the inadvisability of dropping in casually upon at least some of the aerodromes of the Orient. Unless an all red route can be developed suitable for the normal touring aeroplane the picture of the business man off for a holiday jaunt by air in his own aeroplane is still far distant. Before he can drag his machine from its suburban garage and set off on his holiday tour abroad he must spend a good month or two writing warning notes to the more leisurely of the Orient authorities. He must tell them that it is just possible he may be dropping in to see them for as short a time as possible. Fifteen days’ notice to the Egyptian authorities seems on the face of it to add an extraordinary complication to a method of travel eminently suitable for those who like to change their minds, perhaps in mid-air, and make impromptu arrivals at little-known spots. This is bad enough, but the problem of how to take off from some of the Persian aerodromes once the machine has arrived may occupy the would be air tourist for the rest of his holiday if not longer. It is clear that there is quite a lot yet to be arranged before the private traveller by aeroplane can extend his holiday jaunt abroad beyond the well-known resorts of Europe.

A correspondent who professes to be in touch with a section of Labour opinion expresses the view that Mr. Holland may spring a surprise when Parliament meets next week. The suggestion is that as the Labour-Socialist Party desire to force the Reform and United Parties into one camp the surest method of attaining this end is for Mr. Holland and his followers to keep the Reform Party in office and compel Mr. Coates to seek a coalition in order to carry on. Apparently the idea is that if Sir Joseph Ward gets into office a fusion of parties will be a remote contingency, whereas the Reform Party, in the event of a want-of-confidence motion being rejected, would be forced to make overtures to the United Party. This ingenious scheme we suspect has no more substance behind it than many other rumours which are current just now. It would require a startling flight of imagination to picture the Labour-Socialist Party voting to keep the Reform Government in office even as a temporary expedient to serve its own ends. There is no reason to doubt that Mr. Holland and Sir Joseph Ward will be found in the same lobby when the division bell rings for the “no confidence” motion next week,