CONTROL OF THE ANTARCTIC

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 10, 6 October 1927, Page 11

CONTROL OF THE ANTARCTIC

OBLIGATIONS OF NEW ZEALAND EXTENSION POSSIBLE It 'is quite probable that if and when an international agreement is reached regarding the Antarctic, the obligations of New Zealand w ill be - extended to a far larger extent than are nt present comprised in the Ross Sea Dependency. A hint to the above effect was given in the Legislative Council last night by the Leader of the Council (Right Hon. Sir Francis Bell), when replying to the debate on the annual report of the Dlarine Department. In a review of the report the Hon. G. M. Thomson referred to the Ross Sea whaling operations, and said there should be an international agreement whereby whaling should be controlled right round the Antarctic Ocean. He was-supported by the Hou. G. J. Garland and the Hon. Sir Janies Alien.. Sir Francis Bell agreed with Sir James Allen as to the difficulty of controlling unlicensed whalers and the policing of the Antarctic Seas. He had, while in England, suggested an international convention for the control of whaling in the southern seas, similar to that operating in respect of sealing in the Behring Sea.. He mentioned that France had claims regarding the Antarctic which had to be considered, and that certain international negotiations, which were wholly confidential, had been going on. He was unable to say anything regarding them, but he indicated the possibility of an extension of New Zealand’s obligations in regard to the Antarctic.