Mawson's Return

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 209, 4 March 1914, Page 5

Mawson's Return

OFFICIALLY WELCOMED. A MODEST STORY. TRIBUTES TO COMPANIONS. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright Adelaide, March 3. Dr. Mawson was officially welcomed at a large gathering, including Lord Denman and University representatives. Sir Samuel- Way, who presided, read a message from the King congratulating Dr. Mawson and his colleagues on their successful achievements and regretting the loss of their brave comrades.

(Sir Samuel Way paid a tribute to the explorer's work. Dr. Mawson, he said, had written his name high on the scroll of imperishable renown as a great Australian hero.

Lord Denman said the expedition had established a record for bravery, heroism and endurance.

Dr. Mawson, replying, paid a high tribute to his comrades. He did not desire undue credit for himself, as all had done their best. The expedition differed from others, inasmuch as it did not focus on the South Pole, but took up a sphere of action more likely to be useful to Australia. He did not put forward any claim as to results except with regard to the scientific side. There had been reason to believe that land existed; now they knew there was a huge land to the south of Australia which must play a part in Australian history in the future. If there were anything of any value to Australia in the Antarctic regions tkat knowledge could be turned to good use. He hoped the Australian Government would make some claim to the Antarctic regions. Canada had issued an edict that all lands north of Canada to the Pole belonged to Canada, so Australia might say all Lands south of the Commonwealth belonged to it. He hoped the Australian Government would be satisfied when the* scientific achievements of the expedition were made known. Dr. Mawson went on: "We all had sledging experiences, arduous and very trying. We went to the Antarctic knowing we should have risks. The funny thing is that some of them want to go again. I had an idea that way myself, but I have not got it so much now. Still one never knows. Lieut. Nlinnis and Dr. Merz were fine fellows.

I don't know that they would regret their deaths if it were possible for them to hear us .talking about them. T never heard a complaint from either." Captain Davis said Dr. Mawson's journey was absolutely unparalleled in the history of exploration, and was one of the greatest ilustrations of how the sternest affairs in nature were overcome by the superb courage and power of resolve in man.