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Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20788, 23 February 1933, Page 9

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AUSTRALIAN CLAIM disputed. NORWAY'S POSITION. (UmiEO Pais 9 ASSOCIATION—BI ELICTBIC IBLISGBAPH—COPYEIOas.) OSLO, February 21. Australia s Antarctic claim is arousing keen interest in' Norway. The Antarctic expert, Dr. Bjarne Aagaard, states that the Government will probably acquiesce with reservations, but decision will be withheld untij tho whole problem has been considered. With Great Britain already possessing the Falkland and Hoes sectors, universal recognition of Australia's claim would mean that the Empire will have taken a step toward making uie Antarctic continent British. Dr. Aagaard uratonds that Norwegian whalers iii* January, 1931. discovered part of the territory claimed by Australia, and Sir Douglas Mawson's claim that he discovered Queen Mauu a hours before Colonel n. Ilmer-Lnrsen is erroneous. He gays it will be an important question for Norwegian whalers if Australia tries to institute a system of licenses. MAWSON'S COMMENT. POSITION WILL BE CLARIFIED. . LONDON, February 21. _ Sir Douglas Mawson, commenting on Dr. Aagaard's remarks in relation to priority, said when the full facts wef-e published in the near future in detailed scientific reports the position will be plainer than ever. DISCUSSION WITH EXPLORER. LONDON, February 21. The affairs of the recent Antarctic expedition were discussed by Mr J. H. Thomas (Dominions Secretary), with Sir Douglas Mawson, the expedition leader. The problems connected witli tho Australian sector wfere especially under review. Mr Thomas particularly praised the excellence of Captain Frank Hurley's photographic efforts. THE NEW POSSESSION. t RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COMMONWEALTH. (rROM Ob* OWN CORBBSPOMJDENT.) SYDNEY, February 16. By assuming control of a great strip of Antarctic territory lying immediately south of Australia, the Federal Government will add something like 1.000,000 square miles to the area under its control. It will also prevent any foreign country from obtaining legal territorial rights over any portion of tho area in question. The taking over of the territory will he tho subject of a Bill to l>o introduced at the next session of the Federal Parliament, and it is not anticipated that theio will bo any difficulty in securing its passage. For many yifo'rs how thero has been an agitation in Australia for Action in the direction now decided upon. As soon as the Commonwealth takes over its new and important responsibilities, a committee will be to the possibility of developing the area, and so making it of benefit not only to Australia, but to tho whole world. > Whaling Possibilities. Administration will bo mainly of a tt-chnic.il nature until there is a revival of tho vvhaling industry, at present extremely depressed. It is expected that tlio Federal Government will ratify the whaling convention of she League of Nations, which will give it the right to require that all whaling ships entering this sector must be licensed by tho Commonwealth, and to pay a royalty on every barrel of oil. In return for this right, the Commonwealth will havo to take the responsibility of regulating whaling, especially In relation to the prohibition of the killing; of certain kinds of whales, and the taking of calves, or female whales with calves. Tn addition to whaling, other industries which might be carried on during the favourable time of tho year are the capture of seals and sou. lions for their valuable fur skins and oil, and also the capture* of the various Antarctic bircjs, which are of" considerable commercial value.