AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION. 399' 



a suitable far south station could be erected. No attempt has been 

 made to visit this coast since 1840. From a scientific point of view 

 there is no other part of the Antarctic which so much deserves 

 examination. There is also considerable prospect of an economic 

 return from whale and seal products and from guano and mineral 

 wealth. 



The geographical position of this land privileges Australians in 

 taking advantage of economic products, and renders the collection 

 of scientific data therefrom obligatory upon us. On the South 

 American side the Argentine Government is making rapid strides. 

 They now have two permanent recording high latitude meteoro- 

 logical stations in Antarctica waters. 



Australians are just as well fitted constitutionally to stand the 

 vigorous conditions of life in high latitudes as are people of colder 

 climates. The Australian contingent accompanying Sir Ernest 

 Shackleton on his recent expedition showed what could be done by 

 Australians with no previous experience of Polar work. Now that 

 we have gained this experience, it would be a pity for Australia tO' 

 lose the advantage of it. I spent the first half of last year in 

 Europe discussing the subject with the leading Polar explorers, and 

 inquiring into all details requisite for an Antarctic expedition. 

 This was to be aimed at : Scientific and economic investigations of 

 that great unexplored mountainous coast lying due south of Aus- 

 tralia. 



Sir Ernest Shackleton aided in the preliminary steps, the first 

 act being the public notification of the intention of an expedition to 

 this area. This was done in March last, thereby securing the region 

 against competition on the basis of etiquette. Arrangements for 

 co-operation in the scientific work have been discussed with Captain 

 Scott, now exploring that portion of Antarctica adjoining the area 

 referred to on the east. 



In the first instance Sir Ernest Shackleton had hoped tO' 

 command an expedition to this area, but private reasons prevent 

 him, and he has arranged to support me in the inauguration of this 

 Australian expedition. 



No period in the history of Polar exploration has been so 

 favourable for the accomplishment of great achievements as in the 

 present, culminating in the motor sledge just invented. The 

 despatch of an Australian expedition will be an important episode 

 in our history, for it is an undertaking which, at least, will stimulate 

 the spirit of maritime enterprise ; this is an indespensable element 

 of national greatness. 



Few people were aware of the fact that the coast of Antarctica 

 lays nearer to Hobart than Melbourne to Perth. It was, indeed, 

 within telegraphic range of the new wireless station at The Bluff. 

 In summer time navigation was no more hindered than along a great 

 portion of the coast of Alaska. The Antarctic continent occupied 

 the immense area of 5,470,000 square miles, in addition to which 

 there was an area of about 850,000 square miles of unknown 



