Adventure In The Sky; Modern Heroism

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1938, Page 2

Adventure In The Sky; Modern Heroism

Over the North Pole, by George Baidukov. (Harrap. 5/0

My Life, by Jean Batten. Inti’oduction by the Marquess of Londonberry. (Harrap. 8/6.)

Both those books are graphically illustrated. Our interest in the first is more geographical and remote. In the second, we are interested in a vivid story of one who belongs to us; whose personality and achievements are part of our national pride. Baidukov’s book deals with the remarkable non-stop flight from Moscow to the United States, via the Arctic regions, which was undertaken in 1937 by three airmen. It is an unusual, almost unique, story that enriches the history of aviation. Behind the Big Scenes.

I have heard, at times, comments upon the organised publicity that accompanied Miss Batten’s achievements. K was remarked that they were too eagerly commercialised; that they were soiled by exploiting showmanship.

How little do we know, and how see with the vision o£ imagination, behind the big public scenes. If I were endowed with the courage and equipped with the skill to do just one of Jean’s famous flights, how could I hope to go about it? It is an uncom monly costly business. Someone must put up the money. If none other, the oil interests may take a chance. But they are business firms, and their chances are set out in binding contracts. Possibly, I might succeed, and in the flush of triumph feel warmly willing to go here and there and everywhere, to oblige every request I could, but my impulse cannot be indulged. The contract holds the reins. I have, unfortunately, become a capital asset. Every photo I permit, every appearance I make, every speech I utter, has been anticipated and mortgaged in the contract. The New Scientific Heroism. So our little comments and criticisms may be called in and dismissed ■as wrongly addressed, if not cheap and small-minded, and we can join cordially in the world’s welcome of this chatty, informative story of Miss Batten’s career. Nothing can alter the fact that she is an adventurer and pioneer of the skyways, who has wen .by her intrepid daring a supreme blace in the miracle story of aviation. It is another fact that, with all her honours thick upon her, she has been proud 'to call herself a New Zealander, and generously associate her Home-

land with each successive triumph. .So her book should be welcomed the more. especially in New Zealand; should be in every library, and in every home where there are hearts to glow with pride and purposes to be stirred whh resolve by the quiet, efficient, scienlifle heroism of what this girl, still in her 'twenties, has accomplished. The world has never been without heroism, but it, seems to me the greatest heroism is not in reckless response to some all-daring; impulse, hut in the power to keep r. great, purpose steadily in view, through all the Jong school of preparation, through the training in skill and discipline in hardship, and through the never-relaxing vigilance of oversight and insight, that planned and launched her amazing flights, to Australia, to South America, and from England to New Zealand. This, to me, is one of the most impressive features of her story, this unassuming disclosure of what it cost in constant personal discipline and vigilance to measure herself successfully against the perilous odds of such journeys. This kind of heroism could do well with a new Carlyle to unfold its virtues. Meanwhile, a story that reveals it unconsciously in ’the development of her graphic narrative, is an education and a tonic to all high endeavours.