MEN I HAVE MET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21793, 7 May 1934, Page 11

MEN I HAVE MET

SIB MALCOLU CAMPBELL , ~ i INTEREST IN DOMINION HEAVY COST OF TRIP BY SIR THOMAS WILFOIiD No. vn. I have always believed, and as I hay# got older I have become convinced, that the man without a sense of humour has little or no imagination, and I have always believed that the man who has little or no imagination will often fail to see possible dangeca that may arise under a given set of circumstances.

The subject of my sketch is one oj the greatest men of to-day, as a motorist. Sir Malcolm Campbell, with all his great qualities as a driver, has no sense of humour, and to that. 1 attribute the fact that he is one of the greatest drivers the world has seen or ever will see —for he has no imagination with regard to the perils he rung in every race in which he contests. Sir Malcolm Campbell, whom everyone in New Zealand knows by name, would love to go to New Zealand. Hq has said that to me over and over again. We have gone thoroughly into all the evidence wo could collect, while I was High Commissioner, with regard to the Ninety-Mile Beach in New Zea« land. We have read together the descriptions of Mr. Norman Smith'a speed trials on that beach, we have perused plans, charts and photographs of thg same, but up to tp-day Sir Malcolm iB not convinced that taere is a perfect track suitable for an attempt upon the world's record.

I remember one occasion, when I wat down at Sir Malcolm's home with him, I had been sitting in his famous cac

just to say that I had sat in it, and we had gone back into his beautiful house, and were, standing in one corner of the great hall and dining room, where, in an alcove, probably 200 gold and silver trophies are exhibited. He said that if he decided to go to New Zealand with his famous car, he would be glad to speak, as well, on "Empire" in all the principal towns for me. Heavy Cost of the Trip

Sir Malcolm pointed out, hoTverer, that the cost of the trip would be very heavy, for he travels with four mechanics —all highly-paid men —whose expenses to and from New Zealand, • and while in New Zealand, would have ? to be paid, as well as his own. He was not looking for a penny profit; he did not want to make a shilling for. himself, but he felt, and I entirely agreed with him, that hei should not - be out of pocket by the venture, if it could be arranged. I told him I would communicate his wish to those in Neir Zealand who were interested, but he asked me not to take' anv definite steps until he was satisfied'that the NinetyMile Beach was suitable for the purpose of trying to put up a world'* record. Before Sir Malcolm left for on the last occasion, the heads of the whole of the sports bodies in England met to bid him farewell and to wish him God's speed in his venture* I do not think there was a sport unrepresented. It was a great gathering - and I had the honour that night, on behalf of those present, to propose Sir Malcolm Campbell's health. His reply was typical of the man, simple, modest, but most effective. Since his return from America Sir Malcolm has been writing very great articles relating to motor traffic, road' troubles and matters affecting the motoring industry, and Ee has given well thought out and well put together suggestions, which have been endorsed and are now being advocated by prominent members of the Royal Automobile Club and the Automobile Association.

Seven Gars in Garage Sir Malcolm is one of the fittest men one could meet, next to His Royal Highness the Prince of "Wales. He is like whipcord—not an ounce of spare flesh on him. At the back of his house he has, by his own manual labour, laid out a "golf course of nine holes, dug and prepared the bunkers himself and prepared the greens. He is not a great golfer, and plays the game rather for the exercise he gets than with the idea of ever being a champion. He has a charming wife and a sweet little daughter, who, I understand, is as fearless as her father.

In his garage alongside his house Sir Malcolm had, on one occasion when I was there, seven cars, all painted the same colour as the Blue Bird. It is impossible to descriOb the Blue Bird. Although all my readers will have seen photographs of it, a photograph gives no idea to anyone of the length of this extraordinarily-shaped vehicle. I should think the clearance is about 4in.; it may be more, but it doesn't look it. Suggested New Zealand Visit

If ever this article meets Sir Malcolm Campbell's eye, he will read that I acknowledge the many kindnesses he has done me during my term of office in London. I should also like to thank him for his goodness to a number of New Zealanders who have asked mo to arrange interviews with him at different times in order that they might discuss matters of interest only to themselves. He has never been weary on account of these interviews, but has always told me to make nse of him as much as possible, because he was glad to 'meet anyone from my country and to help them. I told Sir Malcolm the last time we met that I thought he should make an end to these record-breaking adventures, that in my opinion such feats are only for unmaxried men under 30 years of age. He just smiled and said nothing. If it is possible for the people of New Zealand to persuade Sir Malcolm Campbell that the Ninety-Mile Beach is suitable for the purpose of putting up a world's record, I can tell them what it would cost to transport Sir Malcolm, his car and his four mechanics to New Zealand. Personally, I believe that the whole of the expense of the tour could be recovered from the exhibition of the car in, say, a dozen principal towns and by Sir Malcolm giving the same number of publio addresses in such towns. I hope that a committee will eventually go thoroughly into this question to see whether or not it is practicable." : 'j;