SIR JOSEPH WARD ON FLYING.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13809, 25 August 1913, Page 7

SIR JOSEPH WARD ON FLYING.

In the course of his speech at the Bluff (reports tlio Dmredin "Star") Sir Joseph Ward said: "How many of them had gone up in an aeroplane? (Laughter.) The aeroplane he had the pleasure of flying in was now on its way out to the Dominion iii the s.s. Athenic. He hoped that without any unnecesary display they would formulate a system of training men as safely and effectively as possible. The aeroplane that had been presented to New Zealand was a very fine one indeed and ho hoped that the Government would give the people in different parts of New Zealand an opportunity of seeing tho aeroplane handled with skill and judgment by competent aviators. (Applause.) At present there were dangers in aerial flight, and it would be a good time before people would feel quite as safe in the air as on land and sea. (Laughter.) But, after all, it was not such a bad thing to have a trial flight, and he would recommend any of those present when the aeroplane came to go up. (Laughter.) A Voice: Were you seasick ? (Laughter) Sir Joseph: "I never got seasick in my life." (Laughter.) He admitted, however, that he had to hang on like grim death in a thunderstorm —(laughter) —when turning round in tho air at an anglo which he did not care very much about. He went up all right, and he came down all right. (Laughter.) He had not been content with travelling on land and sea, and so he went through the air at 90 miles an hour, and came down just as fast as he went up. But he advised them not to go up on a windy day. (Laughter.) It was wonderful the development that was taking place, and the great incentive lay in the fact that everyone realised how any country might bo in danger from operations in the air. But for the fact, however, that the air was likely to be used in war between any two countries, he did not think the game was worth the candle, except from the point of view ofprotec-, tion. After all, tho British Isles were just the size of Now Zealand, a little shorter and a little broader, and the Channel was a very simple thing to be crossed by aeroplanes from any of the great Continental countries. Other countries were going forward with great activity in connection with aeroplanes and .serodomes, and that brought home the fact that the Old Country could not afford to lag behind in the matter of having men who were scientifically able to fly in the air. Communication between the aeronaut, and his 'passengers was impossible on account of the frightful "row" caused by the machinery, although it was perhaps not a bad thing sometimes to prevent people--, irom speaking. (Laughter.) There was no word passed between Hamel and himself. Hamel looked after tho machine, while he (Sir Johepli) hung on as gracefully as ho could. (Laughter.)