NOT READY FOR WINGS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 October 1924, Page 7

NOT READY FOR WINGS.

IN THIS WORLD AT ANY RATE. “The report goes round that Mr Henry Ford has determined to give mankind wings,” says the London Daily Telegraph. “If this miracle Avere attributed to a man of less nehieveihent Ave should be little perturbed. But Mr Ford has already equipped so large a fraction of humanity Avith the mobility of the motor car that Are hear of him displaying an interest in aeroplanes Avith fear and trembling. Mr Ford is going to give the world an aeroplane which will take the air and take the laud so easily that a back garden will be all the aerodrome it needs, and AA’hich, rising, descending, and flying, will he practically, and for all reasonable intents and purposes, fool-proof. We look Avith confidence to the experts to prove that these things cannot be. It is not eA’en necessary to be an expert to see that any aeroplane, unless it can fold its Avings" in the air, will have trouble in getting doAvn into the ordinary man’s ordinary garden. But a horrid doubt remains. Thirty years ago we should have scoffed at the prophet Avho foretold that everybody would own a motor car. Who shail assure us that 30 years hence there .will not -be 'more aeroplanes over our houses than are compatible with our domestic peace? The multiplication of motor cars has given us some terrible driving. But a reckless chauffeur is a mild, innocuous creature compared with a reckless pilot. Before he gives us all Avings Mr Ford ought to regenerate imperfect human nature. We are not yet fit for the powers he offers us.”