ANTARCTIC RICHES.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20256, 27 July 1937, Page 9

ANTARCTIC RICHES.

AUSTRALIAN DEPENDENCY. GREAT ESTIMATED VALUE. Australia's Antarctic dependency, to which It was reported recently Sir Hubert Wilkins intends to conduct an expedition next year, comprises an area as large as the Commonwealth Itself, roughly 3,000,000 square miles of polar territory extending back from a coast line more than 2000 miles long Tlie Australian possessions, which are believed to have vast economic importance, are contained in a segment of Hie circle known as Antarctica, equal to about one-third of the whole area, bisected toward one side by a narrow wedge extending from ihe coast to a needle point at tlie Pole. The wedge comprises the French possession of Adelic Land. Following tlie promulgation of an . Order-in-Council in London affirming I hat the King has sovereign rights over the Antarctic territory (other than Adelie Land), lying south of 60d.eg. of latitude, a proclamation was published in the Commonwealth Gazette in 1936 bringing into force Hie Australian Antarctic Territory Acceptance Act. This formally took possession of the territory mentioned. A great part of the Australian sec- ' tor was discovered and explored by British and Australian explorers. This | desolate area is now regarded as of i vast potential value, not only because | of the whale fisheries, but also beI cause of Hie possibility of developing | fur-bearing animal and down-bearing j bird life there. There are fine seams I of coal in Hip sector, and other mineral ! wen IHi may exist. Meteorological I stations will be established there to I advance the science of weather forecasting in Australia. Whaling in the sector is now subject to regulation by the Commonwealth. but no practical action lias been taken lo police Ihe regulations.