FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1914
1914 - 1206.PDF
JycHTj by the Royal Aero Club as a body in approving such a splendid object put forward by the Committee of their Club in its role as a society of encouragement. It has been suggested by the Finance Committee that the financial position of the Club is not such as to justify any contribution to the Fund. While we have no definite knowledge as to the condition of the Club from the financial point of view, yet we imagine, while having in mind that in the past it has not been behind in making necessary expenditure for the benefit of the movement generally it has wisely husbanded part of its resources, that the amount standing to its credit should be fully equal to the proposed subscription, although possibly the Finance Committee—as the Finance Com mittee—prefer to leave the responsibility of saying so to the members themselves. In any case it must be remembered that one of the main objects of the Club is that of being a Society of Encouragement, and we can imagine no better way of affording practical proof of that position in the aviation movement than by giving its whole-hearted and material support to such a unique and deserving cause. Subject to the withdrawal of such a sum not actually placing the financial position of the Club in a state of jeopardy, we feel that the approving action of the Club, at this critical period of the world's history, will not only be appreciated and give a strong fillip to the way the Fund will be supported by the public, but that the Club will, within a very short time, meet with more than a commensurate reward in the accession of members and the importance that, as we intimated in a recent issue, the Club is, in our opinion, bound to secure as a result of the unparalled work that has been done by the Air Services—both Naval and Military—in assisting in the removal of that great menace of the world's peace— German militarism. • • «•• In thus expressing our views, we do not Whole-hearted overlook the suggestion that has been NeeSed! mooted in the past that the Club should prepare for its future extension by the acquisition of more suitable Club premises. While these will undoubtedly be necessary, yet for the moment, this scheme is one that is, relatively, of secondary importance to the immediate work that can be accomplished by the Fund. And, as we have said, the increased status and membership of the Club that is likely to accrue when the War has been brought to a successful termination will render the question of a more suitable habitation for the Club one not difficult of solution. We feel certain that given such a send-off, the Fund will meet with the hearty and practical support of the public, who, realising, as they now undoubtedly have, the valuable work that has been rendered by both branches of our Air Services in defeating the long-contemplated plans of the enemy, will be glad to have an opportunity of showing, by financial assistance, their keen appreciation of this newest, but not the least important, branch of our naval and military protection. The members, by resolving to make the gift of j£i,ooo from the Club's funds, will not only be doing the right thing at the right moment, but will also thereby be signifying their appreciation of the unselfish work that is being so consistently and perseveringly done on their behalf by the members of the Committee, which includes a number of well-known men, who know the needs of aviation and of the air services as few can know them, and who give up much of their valuable time towards the DECEMBER 18, 1914. advancement of the movement in general and in the interests of the Club in particular. From enquiries we have made, we have good reason to know that if the Club as a body decided to head the list of subscriptions to the Fund with the suggested contribu tion of ,£1,000, this will be immediately augmented, not only by the ^1,000 promised by Messrs. Michelin, but by personal subscriptions from individual members of the Committee of the Club to the extent of close upon We may mention en passant that the Club is on the point of issuing its thousandth Aviator's Certificate ; no less than 983 such certificates had been granted up to the 4th inst, and probably by the time these lines are in print the one bearing the number 1,000 will have been passed. Such an event needs to be signalised in some special way, and what better way could there be, at a time when indelible marks are being made in the world's history, than by the Royal Aero Club starting the National Air Services' Fund by this subscription of ,£1,000? A suggestion arises that, assuming the Club decides to make this contribution to the Fund, the Committee should consider whether it would be feasible to allo cate specified amounts to individual risks of flying men who, on the strength of the existence of the Air Services Fund, decide to volunteer for service at the front. In this way the Fund would become a definite insurance on the life of the flying officer, and would relieve those left behind from one of their many anxieties. This is a matter, however, that can be settled later. In the mean time the great thing is to get the Fund launched in a manner worthy of the Club. We therefore trust that every possible member will endeavour to attend the special meeting on Monday next, and, by his vote, endorse the opinion of the Club Committee thereby enabling the Club to do the dual service—that of sup porting our. flying personnel in both the Navy and the Army, and of demonstrating in a practical form the necessity for the existence, present and future, of the Royal Aero Club. • • • The During the past few weeks we have received Proposed a large number of letters, both from em- " Industrial ployers and employees in all parts of the 2*22L country, welcoming the campaign we have a ge" inaugurated in pointing out that those workmen who have stuck to their posts, and so enabled the very necessary supplies of all kinds to be kept up to meet the Naval and Military requirements, are serving their country just as much as the man in uniform, and consequently are deserving of official recognition. At the same time, as our Correspondence Columns last week indicated, there is at least one who holds that it is necessary for every man to take up arms. Everyone is, of course, entitled to his opinion, but the more we reflect on the matter, the more are we con vinced of the vital necessity of keeping a large reserve of able-bodied and skilled men at their normal employment. We have already shown that this is recognised by those at the head of the Admiralty and the War Office, and as time goes on, further evidence is forthcoming that our view is gaining a wide circle of advocates—from His Majesty the King downwards—as witness the following message from King George, read by Dr. Macnamara, M.P., Financial Secretary to the Admiralty, during his visit to Palmer's shipyard, Jarrow, on Monday last, when, addressing the workmen, he thanked them on behalf of 1206
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
