EXPEDITIONS TO ANTARCTIC

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21989, 13 January 1937, Page 8

EXPEDITIONS TO ANTARCTIC

SCIENCE AND WHALING SIR DOUGLAS MAWSON'S SUGGESTION [THE PHESS Special Service.} AUCKLAND, January 12. • If only Australians and New Zealanders would awaken to a realisation that money can still be made from whaling, the organisation of scientific expeditions to Antarctica would be a comparatively simple matter, in the opinion of Sir Douglas Mawson, the noted Australian explorer, and president of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science. Money was the great obstacle to such expeditions, he said, and meanwhile he had no further ventures in prospect. The organisation of a whaling company by the two countries was, he considered, the key to the position. Whaling was' right at their back door, and they were doing nothing about it. To begin whaling on modern lines would cost more today than it would have done a few years ago, and would probably involve an expenditure of several hundred thousand pounds, but such an undertaking on the part of Australia and New Zealand was quite practicable. If whale oil paid well in the depth of the depression, it would be more profitable now, with prices ris- . ing. As an alternative, whaling could be undertaken with older gear at considerably less cost. The provision of a ship was the greatest expense in scientific expeditions to the Antarctic, but if the co-operation of a company operated by the two countries could be secured, the problems would be very greatly simplified. It would be little trouble for the whalers to take a few men, equipment, and possibly even aeroplanes to the Antarctic without disturbing their schedule. With this difficulty solved, it should be "possible to carry on with the aid of government and other grants. There were always university men and similar enthusiasts willing to take part in research. & Many motor-cars were isolated oh the new east coast scenic road between Te Kaha and the unmetalled part of the road near Cape Runaway in recent bad weather. Three cars arrived at Opotiki after three days' tortuous travelling. There are ho workmen on the Cape Runaway section of the road and the motorists ,Were compelled to remove slips themselves. Stranded parties were short of food, bread being about the only thing obtainable. Some parties abandoned their cars temporarily and returned home by, other means.