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Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1928, Page 2

Whaling in the Antarctic, carried on hv Norwegian companies under modern conditions, it is fearer] will soon prncticnly exterminate the larger cetaceans The Boss Sea area of the South Pole is under the administration of New Zealand, and vessels setting out front New Zealand to engage in the fisheries in that area among others, usually carry a certified master mariner, an officer of the Marine Department of the Dominion entrusted with certain powers. Some vessels, however, setting out from the Australan Comonwealth roam all over the Antarctic wherever whales are to be

found, and are not til all particular whether they operate in what is legally New Zealand territory or any other region, so long as they fill up their oil tanks. The Government is rather concerned, but cannot do much until some understanding through the British Government is arrived at between tile countries interested in the trade. As to seals, there is less doubt about New Zealand's position and right to control the seals frequenting the outpost islands of the Dominion. Taking of seals is prohibited from any of these islands; nevertheless it is alleged that the seal are being illicitly slaughtered, and this lias led to a request to the Government to permit the taking of seals by opening the closed territory. This the Government is not likely to do. q'lie difficulty of securing them sanctuary was admitted, as it was practically impossible to police these lonely and uninhabited islands; but the Government lias information that a foreign vessel bad on one trip taken 20.00!) seals from one island. with the result that it was, and is still, almost totally deserted byseals. It i> believed from careful observations made that seals are increasing again in these remote islands, but .the Government is far from intending removal of its restrictions, and is in no way inclined to moderate the penalties for taking seals or being in possession of seal-skins.