SLAUGHTER OF WHALES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 113, 16 May 1927, Page 9

SLAUGHTER OF WHALES.

I am glad that the readers of the local Press take a genuine interest in the question whether a foreign nation will be allowed to wipe out the whale in the southern hemisphere or not. It would be still more satisfactory if the "Star" would ascertain whether the southern centres take the same interest in this question as we do here in Auckland. It is not only a vital question for New Zealand, it is equally so for Tasmania and Australia. When the Norwegians published their first catch of 310 whales, I wrote and the "Star" published a lengthy protest on the question. I sent two copies of this statement to two Sydney dailies, thinking they would take the same interest in this question as we do, but that is months ago, and I have seen no allusion to it in the Australian Press. There have been at least 800 whales slaughtered the last two seasons, and say one half of these were cowes with waives; i% takes thirtytwo months to reproduce a calf, which will give the reader an insight what inroad twelve hundred deaths will make in the whaling population. But that is not all. Next season there will be two mother ships of 10,000 tons and 16 scorpions, and say they take again 47,000 barrels of whale oil, then I ask how long will it take the whale out considering its slow reproduction. If our people are in earnest about this question, let them grapple with it promptly and vigorously. OSWALD SCHULTZE.