WHALING INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 61

WHALING INDUSTRY.

A NOVEL SUGGESTION. WELLINGTON, September 21. t rJ original note was struck by Mr W. J- Galloway in proposing the toast of ihe Engineering Industry ” at the annual smoke concert of the New Zealand Institute of Marine and Power Engineers on Saturday evening, when he suggested a novel way of encouraging engineering. Mr Galloway stressed the part that the engineering industry had played, and had yet to play, in the maintenance of commercial supremacy for Great Britain. The speaker sketched the development of the engineering industry-, with special reference to the mercantile marine, and emphasised the prominence of this factor in the Dominion’s trade status. He remarked that to many the significance of the Great War was but a memory, but he could remember the time when, ignorant of the fact that they were also purchasing bullets for themselves, New Zealanders bought goods made in the countries which were soon to become her foes.

“To me it is disturbing to see New Zealand goods carried by ships flying a foreign flag,” -he said. “ Yesterday there left our harbour a fleet of whale chasers. Their flag_was not that of Britain, and so far as I am aware none of the seamen are British. Here is a great fortune leaving our shores annually, here are the fruits of one of our most promising industries gathered in by foreigners. “ There have recently been several art unions for the support of various sports bodies. These are, of course, very worthy objects, and I say this in all sincerity; but here is an object of untold possibilities—the establishment of a company for the exploitation of the whaling industry of New Zealand by New Zealanders. I suggest the introduction of a State lottery, the proceeds of which should go to bring into being a State company for this very purpose. Let us use the sporting instincts of our people to open and develop our new industries. “ The possibilities of the whaling industry in New Zealand are nothing less than dazzling, and the huge profits which I am sure would result from this venture could be put to 100 uses. I plead for press publicity for this scheme, and I feel sure that if it is put into operation it will be justified in the employment which it will give to many of pur men, and also in the great wealth which it will bring into the Dominion.”