ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 50, 22 November 1928, Page 10

ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION

RECEPTION TO ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS GIFTS FOR COMMANDER BYRD There was a full gathering of members of the Wellington branch of the English Speaking Union at the Art Gallery last night to meet Commander R. E. Byrd and the officers of his expedition, Captain A. N. Parker,'Lieutenant B. Balchcn, Mr. Harold June, Sir. Dean Smith (aviation pilots), Mr. Russell Owen, Lieutenant R. Shropshire, Mr. ,W. Van der Veer, and Mr. C. Lofgren, and also Sir Douglas Mawson, the Australian Antarctic explorer. Mr. A. L. Hunt, who was in the chair, said the English Speaking Union wished the expedition God speed, complete success and a safe return. Sir Frederick Chapman drew an interesting comparison between the Arctic and the Antarctic regions. He pointede out that in the Arctic there were native peoples, plentiful animal life, and that in Finland and Lapland wheat was grown,in the short summer. South of New. Zealand there was no habitable land. The Auckland Islands were in the same latitude south as London was in the north, yet .north of London their best and- most energetic population was found. There was nd life in the great Antarctic continent. Exploration down there called for great endurance, courage and fortitude than anywhere else. It was a more formidable task than in the Arctic. He joined in wishing Commander Byrd every success . and . a safe .return. (Applause.) On • behalf of the branch Mr. Leigh Hunt then presented Commander Byrd with a novel smoker’s tray, made of a slab of polished greenstone, mounted on a base of mottled kauri. On the slab was a solid silver model of New Zealand, with an arrow pointing to the South’ Pole, near which was placed a silver model of Commander Byrd’s pet dog, Igloo. The present bore a silver plate, with the initials E.S.U., and the inscription : “To Commander R. E. Byrd, from the English-Speaking Union, Wellington, New Zealand, 21/11/25.” Sir, Hunt also presented Commander- Byrd with a badge and a certificate of membership of the Wellington branch,, amid loud applause. Sirs. J. Bennie, chairman of the women’s committee, asked Commander Byrd to accept a gift of a beautiful bouquet of artificial flowers, decorated with flags, to carry on board his ship, and hang in the shore party’s hut. International Goodwill. Commander Byrd, who was given a great reception, said he wished, on behalf of his shipmates and himself, to thank the Wellington branch of the EnglishSpeaking Union for their welcome, their, good wishes, and their gifts. He would be proud to wear their badge On his Polar flight. Though New Zealand was very far from the United States in miles, it was close in sympathy and friendship. There was a great deal of interest in his country in their expedition into the Antarctic, and people from every State in the Union had talked to him about their place of departure—New Zealand. And he wished to tell them most sincerely that everyone showed appreciation and friendship for New Zealand. He brought greetings from the people of his country, and best wishes from the English Speaking Union of the United States, of which he had the honour of being a member. He had joined this organisation because he was keen for what it stood for. If progress was important, there was every ■ reason why the English-speak-ing peoples of the world should stand together in friendship. Commander Byrd said he firmly believed that aviation was more an instrument of peace than of war, and that by bringing countries nearer to one another it would make for good-will and fellowship between peoples. He sincerely hoped that in a very small way their trip to the Antarctic would do its part for in-' ternational amity. For to show their appreciation of the British Empire and its heroes, they were carrying with them on their flight’the flag of New Zealand and the British flag, which they were going to plant at the South Pole if they succeeded in their project, alongside the Stars and Stripes of America. (Loud applause.) Continuing, Commander Byrd said he had with him Lieut. Bernt. Balchen, the pilot who had landed their aeroplane in the sea on the French coast after their 42 hours’ flight across the Atlantic. (Applause.) He wished also to thank Mr. Ninnis, who had been a ’ member of Shackleton’s expedition, for valuable information- regarding the Antarctic. He paid his respects to Sir Douglas Mawson. a very great scientist and a very gallant gentleman. “You cannot imagine what a pleasure it has been to us to meet him here. and. believe me, we have got a lot of-good dope from him. (Laughter and applause.) We hope to add somethingto his record of achievement and that of Scott and Shackleton. Sir Douglas Mawson’s Tribute. Sir Douglas Mawson said he counted himself most fortunate to arrive at Wellington, in time to meet Commander Byrd, who was “the real thing, . and a fine gentleman.” He held a unique position in the United States, and he had a most wonderful record of achievement as an aviator and explorer. It was a great honour-to meet him-, and for the local branch of the English-speaking Union to have him present. Commander Byrd’s expedition was the second American venture into the Antarctic, although Americans had played a very great part in the exploration of the. Arctic regions. .'lt was 89 raars since an American , naval squadron” commanded by Admiral Wilkes, had sailed from Sydney, and explored a great part of the Antarctic Seas south of Australia, Wilkes had .only sailing 'ships in which -to traverse that stormy, icebeset' region, yet he had covered 2000 miles through the pack ice’ from east to west, and had sighted land at several points. Commander Byrd was the first Antarctic explorer to use aeroplanes in the Antarctic, if they excepted Sir George Wilkins, who was,using two ’planes from a base outside the Antarctic Circle. ..He was sure , that Commander-Byrd with his splendid, personnel, organisation and equipment, would accomplish a vast amount of useful work. The huge unexplored region, including King Edward VH Land, lying to the south-east of the ice barrier, was a great Antarctic conundrum. Was that land part of the Antarctic continent or did. it stand in the same relation to Victoria Land. as New Zealand did to Australia? If Compiander Byrd, with his aeroplanes, .could clear up that point he would make a great contribution to science and to our geographical knowledge. To those who asked what was the use of Antarctic exploration, he would say that it was well worth while in the interest of science, and it had. a gerat cash value, as was shown by the magnitude of the whaling industry. He.wished Commander 1 Byrd and'liis men the best of good fortune, and every possible success in their great venture. (Loud applause.)' At this stage an important member of the expedition in the person of Igloo, Commander Byrd’s, litle. dog, was led in, and introduced to the gathering, to the great delight of everybody. ■ ■ At the’ conclusion of the.speech-making a dance was held. . ’