THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1912. THE SOUTH POLE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10580, 11 March 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1912. THE SOUTH POLE.

The news concerning the escapades of i the Norwegian expedition in the Antarctic regions comes as a refreshing variation to the monotony of life in a world of political and industrial strife. The kmiwJedge that Captain Amundsen has reached the South Pole must afford immense satisfaction to those who have a predilection for the mysterious and sensational. Ji is difficult to understand, however, what immediate or prospective advantage will be derived by the community in general by the announcement that a certain explorer, whose chief aspiration appears to have been notoriety, has reached a, point of the compass hitherto unattained. In these strenuous days, one may be excused for enquiring what effect such a feat of . endurance will have upon the economic conditions of the present and future generations. Does, the fact that Amundsen and 3iis men survived for weeks on seal -steak, or that beneath the pack of ice at the South Pole there is a valueless stretch of land, assist in any material degree to the solution of the problem of how to live? It may be of interest to the Geographical Societies of the world that the North and South Poles exist in more than, the imagination; but what relation lia-s- scientific research of this character to the practical questions of the day ? Is there any possibility of settling the .surplus population of the world upon the icepacks of the south, or of turning the seal and penguin of the Antarctic regions to commercial account? Could not the money which is being devoted 'to fantastic expeditions of the character undertaken by the Scotts, and Amtindseiis, and Mawsons, lie better employed in .investigating phenomena which may be /productive of some permanent advantage to the "peoples of the world? Would not the prosecu-

tion of medical research bo attended with infinitely greater /benefits to humanity than the exploration of the polar regions ? Would not the discoverer of a cure for cancer be a benefactor compared with the discoverer of the North or South Pole ? The thirst for knowledge Is one of the innate characteristics of the human .species. JBut it is only in its relation to the betterment of present and future conditions that knowledge assumes any real value. The efforts which have been made to investigate astronomic phenomena are not without interest, for they may :be productive of some practical result upon the development of electrical and other energy. A knowledge of the fact, however, that the planet Mars is inhabited, has no more real significance to human existence than a knowledge that the polar -bears are web-footed. The population of the world is increasing year by year. The great problem which confronts the nations is how to utilise the available areas and means of production so that the increasing numbers may live in reasonable health and comfort. There are vast areas of uninhabited country in Africa, Australia, and other parts of the world which await the application of science to make them productive. All the money, and energy, and brain power that is available should be expended in making these regions accessible to the people. While so much remains to be (lone ■with the means already at our disposal, it savours of foolishness and extravagance to employ money and energy in fruitless research.