THE CALL OF THE SOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 191, 16 September 1909, Page 4

THE CALL OF THE SOUTH.

THE NEXT ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

(Times Correspondent). London, August 0. Scientilic circles in London are already discussing another South l'o'ar expedition in order, if possible, to follow up Lieutenant Shackleton's success. Captain Scott tells me that he hiinsn'f is strongly of the opinion that a British expedition should continue the work of the South Polar expedition and achieve the South Pole before other nations can step in and take the credit of that performance. Regarding a statement that he wou'd make the journey, Captain Scott told an Evening News representative that this was at least premature. No delinite plans for another expedition had yet been arranged. In the interest of" British exploration he thought that an expedition should he undertaken to start next sunnnej^ / iind he was using his best endeavour io push forward such a payed. Considerable financial support had been offeree!, and he believed that there should be no want of sympathy with such a patriotic object." It was far too early to go into details nt to state whether he would personal.y lead the expedition. These tilings were dependent on many circumstances, and no definite announcement could be made lor the present. Lieut, nam Shackle-ton was interviewed nt Cowes this week'with regard to future South Polar work, and ina».the following statement:— "For myself, I have no immediate plans, my intention not being to attempt nnv further South Polar work until the return of Captain Scott. Soon after my arrival from the South, Captain Scott told me that he proposed to make a trip, and I assured hi,,, that 1 would await his return before I made a fresh effort. Captain Scott's expedition, I understand will start as soon as possible. Obviously it is not mv province to make public the details of his expedition. In the ease of an expedition following my late sortie, it is evident that" the ground already traversed will take an explorer within 97 miles of the Pole itself and over what is now known land. If Captain Scott is able to land in lung Edward VII. Lund he is on entirely new ground, and has, in addition the prospect of reaching a high latitude H ever I go South again I should certainty start from the Weddell Sea side, lhis is very little known. I would form a base on MacMurdo Sound, whence I could dispatch a party to meet the Weddell Se,T party. The former party would go to the top of the great glacier which we traversed."