ANTARCTIC LURE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 23, 28 January 1937, Page 11

ANTARCTIC LURE.

WHALING PROSPECTS.

CO-OPERATIVE PROPOSAL.

DOMINION AND AUSTRAXIA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SYDNEY, January 20.

It is probably too much to expect that because the Science Congress is this week being held in Auckland therefore everybody in New Zealand will pay careful attention to« what the great scientists, who address this gathering have to say. But it is to be hoped that many people in the Dominion, and in the Commonwealth as well, will give heed to the remarks made by Sir Douglas Mawson about whaling in the Antarctic. As it is superfluous for me to dwell at length on a speech delivered in New Zealand, I will only mention that Sir D. Mawson made a practicable suggestion which might be expected to appeal strongly to the countries on either side of the Tasman Sea —a scheme for a whaling expedition to the Antarctic, conducted jointly by Australia and New Zealand on co-operative lines.

Co-operative Partnership.

As Sir Douglas Mawson pointed out, to equip a whaling expedition in the best modern style, would cost several hundred thousand sum which would be a substantial burden for even a wealthy country to shoulder. But Australia and Xew Zealand could undertake such a venture in conjunction, mid, as they botli have a definite interest in the Antarctic regions, it would be natural for them to enter into partnership for such a purpose. Moreover, the undertaking would almost certainly be profitable. The Scandinavians have secured handsome returns from whaling expeditions to the Far South for many years past, the Japanese are now following their lead, and the rise in the value of whale oil and other products of the fishing looka most encouraging for the future. Sir Douglas Mawson, on patriotic grounds, is most anxious to see this enterprise set on foot, and he is prepared to give it any assistance in his power. "Find the money, and I will arrange an expedition any time," he said in Auckland.

It should hardly be necessary to remark that the famous Polar explorer is too important a j>ersonage to ignore, and even his casual remarks on matters that come within the range of his unique experience command respectful attention. Hie proposal for a joint Common-wealth-Dominion whaling expedition has already been discussed at Canberra, and it has received sympathetic consideration.

Australian investigation.

It may not be generally known that investigation extending over a long period has been made by the Federal Government into the udvisability of establishing a whaling industry for the benefit of Australians on a Bound commercial basis, but so far nothing practical has been done. Application by an Australian firm for financial assistance to dVveloju. whaling in Australian and Antarctic jyfiters has ?i<een ' examined, and, it is understood, rejected by the Federal Ministry, Negotiations are still going on with private people on these lines, and it would appear that the Federal Government is quite prepared to consider seriously any scheme which offers a reasonable prospect of success and.to grant it material assist-

The object of such a policy would bej twofold —to help in the establishment of a lucrative national industry, and to open up Antarctic waters in a more detailed way with a view to the possible exigencies of national defence. From all this it may be gathered that the Federal authorities are quite prepared to look favourably on Sir Douglas Mawson's proposal,. and it is reported in a semi-official way from Canberra that they are preparing to look into it further. Under these circumstance*, the people in New Zealand who are favourably impressed by Sir Douglas Mawson's proposal should at least attempt to bring the matter more directly under the attention of the New Zealand Government. For it ie evidence that the Federal Government is well disposed, and a suggestion from the Dominion af this opportune moment might have speedy and satisfactory results.