There is evidently something wrong with the psychology of a nation that offers a public welcome to an American film star and allows its foremost air-pilot to return from an amazing flight of 17,000 miles without a word or gesture of national appreciation. When one read of the Lord Mayor of London offering a public reception to Mr. Tom Mix, and letting Mr. Alan Cobham slip home without any official notice or recognition, it was impossible not to find in these events a parable symptomatic of the spirit of the age. The lesson of the parable is that the majority of people are suffering from a lack of true values: they have lost their sense of proportion. A writer in a daily paper has pointed out that there is no possible comparison between the feats of the two men. No doubt the exploits of the crack rider of Tony are a remarkable exhibition and a delight to the heart of every schoolboy : but who would venture even to think of them in the same category as the airman’s marvellous performance? Yet the film actor is invited to the Mansion House while the airman goes quietly home.

There is something wrong somewhere. It may be a gracious act on our part to extend a cordial welcome to American film stars and keep our modest heroes in the background (they would be the last men to court the limelight), but the truth of the matter lies much deeper than a question of good manners or national politeness. What this attitude of the public mind uncomfortably demonstrates is the fact that while purveyors of mere amusement are hailed as super-beings, almost as gods, men who cheerfully risk their lives in the national service for the security of the public are blankly ignored.