LURE OF SPEED

Southland Times, Issue 20446, 26 March 1928, Page 7

LURE OF SPEED

RECENT AIR TRAGEDIES STATEMENT BY SECRETARY FOR AIR MORIf AT STAKE THAN WORLD’S RECORDS (By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright.) Rugby, March 23. Sir Samuel Hoare, Secretary for Air, speaking at Birmingham, referred to air tragedies. In regard to the loss of FlightLieutenant Kinkead, he said: “Does the pursuit of speed justify sacrifice of human life? If it were only a matter of the pursuit of speed or the breaking of world’s records I should agree with those who ask this question, but there is more at stake than the increase of speed, and just as many improvements in the motor car engine are directly due Jo motor racing, so definite advance in aeroplane design and engine improvements result from high speed flying. Let us then, whilst showing the deepest sympathy with Kinkead’s family, refuse to abandon efforts necessary for the progress of aviation and make certain that the sacrifices of pioneers shall not have been made in vain.” In regard to the disastrous flight of Captain Hinchcliffe and Miss Elsie Mackay, the Air Minister paid a tribute to the spirit of enterprise and courage that inspired them, but he warned British pilots against attempting to cross the Atlantic from east to west until machines of greater endurance were available. The risk was at present too great, and the odds were too heavy against success. At the same .time he declared against any restriction being placed upon the right of any individual to embark upon such an education. He believed British opinion would rightly oppose the fettering of the spirit of enterprise. Moreover, if trans-Atlantic flights from British aerodromes were stopped British pilots could fly to France or Ireland and make the attempt with impunity.—-British Official Wireless.