A BRITISH TRIUMPH.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1931, Page 4

A BRITISH TRIUMPH.

It is /refreshing to turn for a moment from other predominant thoughts to contemplation of the remarkable feat performed last Thursday by Captain Malcolm Campbell. In his specially constructed motor-car he succeeded in establishing a new record of 245.73 miles an hour, which represents a very substantial increase upon the late Sir Henry Segrave’s record of 231.36 miles an hour. To British folk the world over the news of tliis amazing performance by a man of their own nationality must give especial pleasure, for it means that Captain Campbell has skill, courage and daring that are unsurpassed. Since the record already was British, it may be thought that there was no occasion for Captain Caffipbell to undertake the grave risks inseparable from his attempt, but those who are jealous of national prestige in these matters will rejoice to know that it is now far more difficult than it was to dispossess Britain of the honour of holding the record., National sentiment is not a negligible tiring, and the pride which is inspired in all Britons by the knowledge that their nation holds all the world’s speed records for land, sea.and air is an influence that is worth cherishing. Moreover, there is a practical aspect of the matter. Not only has a British driver shown conspicuous qualities but British engineers and craftsmen has demonstrated their ability to design ttiid manufacture a machine that measures up mechanically to .the standard of ' Skill &nd enterprise attained by the man who uses it. In constructing the machine its designers had to try experiments, and now that results have justified their vision,, they will be encouraged to apply to commercial purposes the knowledge they have gained. It is, after all, the advancement of knowledge rather than tlm honour of making a record that is the principal reward of such men as Captain Campbell and those associated with him. Even so important a scientific enterprise as the English National Physical Laboratory contributed the results of intensive research to the designing of Captain Campbell’s car, and it is probably due in some degree to the demands made upon it in that connection that this institution has just added valuable equipment to its delicate plant. A world without its Captain Campbells would make but slow progress.