THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 464, 24 March 1909, Page 6

THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

Although the Nimrod, which sailed from Lyttolton with Lieut. Shackleton and his party on January 1, 1908, hag returned to Now Zealand with the expedition, we are unablo to give the public any particulars of the voyage of discovery. ' AVhile, therefore, we can congratulate the adventurers on their safe return from the rigours and dangers of the polar country, we are unable to say what measure of success has attended their voyaging. Now Zealanders are specially interested in the expedition, not only because their country was the last civilised land to bid farewell to the explorers and the first to bid them welcome' on their return, but also because the New Zealand Government and people have given material assistance to the expedition. In a farewell message, indeed, Lieutenant Shackleton specially recognised the friendly and helpful interest shown by New Zealanders. "We will do," he said, "our utmost to merit tho confidence that has been placed in .us, the generosity that has been bestowed upon us, and the desire that has been apparent to help us." Ho could number by the hundred, ho added, individuals who offered and gave-him support. The public will therefore have some excuse for feeling very disappointed that they are left completely in the dark concerning the result of a voyago in which, as His Excellency ' the Governor told, Lieutenant Siiackleton in a farewell telegram, " all Australasia is taking a special interest." It is possible, and even probable, that the leader of the expedition has realised his confident expectation that he would reach the Pole, and the New Zealand public is naturally very anxious to know whether the expedition in which they have a special interest really has won that crown of terrestrial discovery. They have some right to know, too, since the expedition has been assisted by the Government, and has practically been publicly financed. Unfortunately, the , leader of the expedition appears to have arranged with ' a London newspaper to furnish it with a report before supplying tho public with any particulars. That was admirable enterprise on tho London journal's part, but the Australasian public may bo excused for considering itself rather shabbily treated, in view of the part which it played in assisting Lieut. Shackleton to carry out his plans. As matters stand, the New Zealand public is not likely to learn until three days after the return of the Nimrod what a London paper has already been privileged to publish concerning tho lesults of the expedition. The very least that might have been expected, when all the circumstances arc considered was that Lieut. Shackleton would supply a brief statement of what the expedition has achieved. The confidence that was placed in him, the generosity that was bestowed upon him, and the desire to help him that was so apparent, have not received quite that recognition that most men would consider fitting. It is strictly in accordance with the spirit of the age that commercial and financial considerations should rule even in the domain of science and discovery. We cannot, however, imagine ono of the old-time explorers withholding his discoveries from an anxious public in this fashion.