WELCOME HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15548, 4 March 1914, Page 9

WELCOME HOME.

AxNTAECTIC EXPLORERS.

TRIBUTES TO DR. MAWSON.

A RECORD OF BRAVERY.

SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS.

VALUE TO AUSTRALIA.

"JOURNEY WITHOUT PARALLEL."

By Telegraph—Press Association— Adelaide, March 3. As official welcome was extended last night at the University to Dr. Mawson, who has just returned to Australia alter a two years' sojourn in Antarctica, by a large gathering, including Lord Denman (Governor-General of the Commonwealth). Sir Samuel Way (Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia), who presided, read a message from the King congratulating Dr. Mawson and his colleagues on their successful achievements and regretting the loss of their brave comrades.

The chairman, continuing, paid tributes to the explorer's work. Dr. Mawson, he said, had written his name high on the scroll of imperishable renown as a great Australian hero. Lord Denman added that the expedition had established a record of bravery, heroism, and endurance. Discovery of a Continent. Dr. Mawson, replying, spoke in the highest terms of his comrades. He did not flesire undue credit for himself,' as all had done their best. The expedition had differed from others, inasmuch as it did not focus on the South Poie, but took up a sphere of action more likely to be useful to Australia. He did not put forward any claim as to the results, except with regard to the scientific side. There had been reason to believe that land existed, now they knew there was a huge piece of land to the south of Australia that must play its part in Australian history in the future. If anything of any value to Australia were in the Antarctic regions that knowledge could be turned to good use. He hoped that the Australian Government would make some claim to the. Antarctic regions. Men Wish to Return. Canada had issued an edict that all lands north of Canada to the Pole belong to Canada, so Australia might say all lands south of the Commonwealth belonged to it. He hoped the Australian publio would be satisfied when the scientific achievements of the expedition were made known. They all had sledging experiences which were arduous and very trying. " We went to the Antarctic knowing that we' would have to take risks," he said. "The funny thing is that some of them want to go again. I had an idea that way myself, but I have not got it so much now. Still one never knows. " Ninnis and Mertz were fine fellows. I don't know that they would regret their deaths if it were possible for them to hear us talking about them. I never heard a complaint from either." Captain Davis, of the Aurora, stated that Dr. Mawson's journey was absolutely | unparalleled in the history of exploration, and was one of the'greatest illustrations of how the sternest affairs of nature could be overcome by the superb courage; power. ■< and resolve of man. . \. i