THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14087, 16 December 1907, Page 4

THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

It would be a matter for regret if the importance of the Polar expedition which is to leave Lyttelton on New Year's Day were as imperfectly appreciated in these southern colonies as it is by many of the wealthy men at, Homo to whom Lieutenant Shackleton applied in vain for financial assistance. The fact is, however, that- although the scientific outcome of such an expedition may not appeal very directly to the popular imagination, it is calculated to 1m very valuable indeed. The work of magnetic survey, apon which the Nimr rod ia to bo engaged daring such time • ps Lieotensnfc Shackktm ixnd the jjickaf

men with him, who are, to make the dash for tho Pole, must spend on the icei, may itself bo productiv-o of results of tho highest value. Moreover, tin increased knowledge of geography and meteorology which will be assured through tho expedition- cannot ba lightly disregarded. It would bo impossible to estimate it in terms of the currency, but it will certainly bo very considerable. Apart from the scientific aspect- of tho expedition, there is a sentimental one which, we trust, will secure for tlio members of the party the heartfelt good wishes of the British people wherever these may be resident. Two expeditions besides that which procoeds in the Nimrod are being equipped for an attack upon the South Pole, one consisting of Frenchmen and the other of Belgian!?, and while either or both of them should receive the congratulations of civilisation upon accomplishing the object they )>nvc in view, British communities may yet cherish the hope that in such im event, the explorers may upon reaching the Pole there find a flagstaff bearing the Union Jack entrusted by the Queen to tho care of Lieutenant Shackleton. It is with confidont expectations of success that Lieutenant Shackleton will set- out upon the final stage of the forthcoming expedition; And this is 110 ontorprise upon which h< is' blindly launching. His enthusiasm and faith are based upon the results of the Discovery expedition, under Captain Scott, with one of tho most striking achievements of which Lieutenant Shackleton was himself personally associated. It may be questioned, therefore, whether any English expedition for the Polar regions started out with better prospects of success than those which will attend the expedition in the Nimrod. It is to be regretted, in the circumstances, that there should bo a risk of Lieutenant Shackleton being hampered by financial considerations.. The fact that the Imperial Government' has contributed nothing to the''cost of tho expedition contrasts very unfavourably with the action of the French Government in liberally subsidising tho Charcot expedition, and, as wo have seen, private individuals of great wealth at Homo have exhibited no adequate senso of tho importance of the undertaking. On the other hand, the decision of the Commonwealth Parliament to vote a sum of £5000 towards the expenditure is a gratifying colonial recognition of the project, and wo think that public ■ opinion in New Zealand would ondorsa a determination on the part of t!ia Government to afford assistance, in whatever form would be most practic able, to the expedition.