WHALING INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26592, 15 October 1947, Page 4

WHALING INDUSTRY

General Support Accorded Proposal

VAST POSSIBILITIES

The suggestion of an Antarctic whaling industry for New Zealand, with a fleet based on Port Chalmers, has not only drawn favourable comment from prominent citizens of Dunedin and Port Chalmers, but the proposal has been accorded general support in view of the vast possibilities that it presents. In the article on the subject in the Daily Times on Monday, mention was made of the initial need to form an exploratory company to investigate thoroughly every relevant business aspect of the proposed industry before floating an all-New Zealand whaling concern. This idea, expressed to the Daily Times by a Dunedin business man, has appealed to all those who have been subsequently approached. All agreed that an immediate step must be taken to form such a company, preferably in Dunedin with Otago capital.

“ There is no doubt that the more we make use of our natural sources of oils the better.” said Mr L. A. Holden, of Dunedin, a member of the New Zealand Oils Council. Every avenue for the production of oil should be investigated, he added, and he would support any move to investigate thoroughly the possibility of a New Zealand whaling industry in the Antarctic. “ We can, in Port Chalmers, offer ideal winter quarters, including all facilities and amenities, for an Antarctic whaling fleet,” said the Mayor, Mr H. S. Watson. It would not be essential for the fleet to lay up right in Port Chalmers after it returned from a summer in the Antarctic, as there was ample accommodation further down the harbour. Early history gave details of whaling from the Otago Harbour, added Mr Watson, who mentioned the Weller Brothers’ shore base at Otakou. Assistance Promised “ Port Chalmers would be pleased to have this extra industry and is ideally situated in every respect for it,” Mr Watson added. “As Mayor of Port Chalmers, I will do all that I can to support the proposal and help to bring it to fruition. New Zealand should share in the wealth of that part of the Antarctic, of which she is a trustee.” As deputy chairman of the Otago Harbour Board, Mr Watson said that the board would welcome any move to establish an Antarctic whaling industry. The board would grant any facilities at its disposal and would make its engineering staff available whenever required. The board would co-operate fully with a whaling company and would do all in its power to assist such a concern. “ Now, who is going to make the first move to form the whaling company?” Mr Watson asked. The chairman of the Otago Harbour Board, Mr W. R. Clarke, was leaving Dunedin when approached by the Daily Times for his comment, and he was unable to discuss the subject from the point of view of the Harbour Board. As secretary of the Otago Seamen’s Union, Mr Clarke said that crews for a whaling 'fleet could be found in Otago without difficulty. Mr James Bain, of Port Chalmers, said that in his personal opinion an Antarctic whaling industry based on Port Chalmers was greatly needed. Great scope existed for such an industry in Port Chalmers, where there had been relatively little development during the last 40 years. As a whaling base, Port Chalmers was probably more suitable than any other port in the southern hemisphere with the possible exception of some in South America. Aid to Britain “The suggested investigation of the possibilities of an Antarctic whaling industry based on the Otago Harbour has everything to commend it,” said Mr T. G. Tompkins, president of the Otago and Southland Manufacturers’ Association. “ There is no question whatever that an industry of this nature could, if organised and con-

ducted by a soundly-constituted company, contribute very substantially to the development and prosperity of New Zealand in general and the province of Otago in particular. “Apart from all other aspects, the proposition is worthy of the fullest consideration because it represents a very practical possibility in our endeavours to aid Britain,” he continued. “ Fats of all descriptions are one of Britain’s most vital needs.” Mr Tompkins, who is the manager of a Dunedin tannery, said that the present Tory Channel whaling station had done, and continued to do, excellent work, satisfactorily supplying the needs of local manufacturing firms. The increased production of whale oil from an industry operating in the Antarctic and based on Otago could be made available to the United Kingdom where it was sorely needed and would prove of great assistance. He had always been keen to support any project which would promote the prosperity and progress of Dunedin, said the Mayor, Mr Cameron. He had read the article on whaling with a great deal of interest, he added, because the whole subject was full of possibilities for the benefit of Dunedin and its citizens. Any concerted action to bring such an industry to fruition would receive both his approval and'support. Immense Possibilities “ One cannot help but be impressed by the immense possibilities that present themselves if the headquarters of a New Zealand Antarctic whaling industry was located at Fort Chalmers,” said Mr G. J. Errington, president of the Otago Expansion League. “Apart from the industry being of national and imperial significance and the obvious need of fats, oils and the other valuable products that the whale supplies, the installation of the headquarters of that industry in Otago would probably mean much industrial activity of a beneficial nature as well as the refitting and restocking of ships.” If New Zealand was not more actively interested in the Antarctic whaling industry and in the waters and territory to the south, other countries would be, Mr Errington emphasised. Such being the case, he said, it would be in the best interests of New Zealand if this Dominion was actively associated in all activities — both whaling and otherwise—being undertaken in that area. It was learned that meat meal of high protein content produced by a whaling industry would be in keen demand for pig feeding and the manufacture of poultry mash. Apart from the demand in New Zealand, a ready expox-t market seemed to be assured, provided that quantities and continuity of supply could be maintained. Fertiliser with a high phosphoric aCid content would also be produced by a whaling industi-y and this fertiliser would meet with a keen demand from market gardenei’s as well as the farming community generally. The supply and rising costs of fertilisers constitute one of the primary producer’s problems at present and the availability of an additional source of fertiliser would be warmly welcomed.