way should hold dominion over a wide tract of the mainland with adjacent 
waters. Norway for her part will not claim any right to exclude other nations 
from the waters over which she might thus have dominion, or prevent them in 
any way from carrying whaling operations there. But Norwegian whalers should 
be ensured against the possibility of other nations excluding them from these 
waters or committing any action that might involve their industry in injury or 
loss. 
The Norwegian Government has for a long time been alive to this require- 
ment, and ever since the question arose it has been giving its attention to the 
preparation of an arrangement that would meet natural Norwegian demands. 
The Government finds that the time has now come to take the final decision. 
As mentioned above, Norway’s right to bring the said unclaimed land under 
her dominion is founded on the geographical exploration work done by Nor- 
wegians in this region, in which work they have been alone. 
The practical considerations which should lead to Norway’s making use of 
the right it must thus be said to have won, arise from the Norwegian whaling 
operations in the Southern Ocean, and more particularly in the seas adjacent to 
the territory here in question. 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs therefore submits the following: 
“That Your Majesty be pleased to assent and subscribe to a presented draft 
of an Order in Council to the effect that such part of the coast of the Antarctic 
Continent as extends from the limits of the Falkland Islands Dependencies in the 
West (the boundary of Coats Land) to the limits of the Australian Antarctic 
Dependency in the East (45° E. Long.) with the territory lying within this coast 
and the adjacent seas, be brought under Norwegian sovereignty, 
and that the Ministry of Justice be empowered to draw up regulations for the 
exercise of police authority within this region.” 
SWEDEN 
Area of Claim. None 
Date of Claim. None 
Remarks. As far as is known, Sweden has no intention of claiming any 
part of the Antarctic. 
UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA 
Area of Claim. Prince Edward Islands 
Date of Claim. 1948 
Remarks. The interest of the Union of South Africa has been limited 
to certain sub-Antarctic islands of importance for meteorological obser- 
vation. 
Relevant documents. 
OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND DEPARTMENT OF 
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS 
No. 248. 30 January 1948 
ee Ge 
