Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. The text given here is from Brisbane courier , 30 November 1893, p. 4 (B93.11.06). The text is quoted in an editorial supporting Queensland's contributing to the exploration and exploitation of Antarctic waters. The extract is introduced by

Baron von Mueller, writing last July to Mr. J. P. Thomson, secretary of the Queensland Branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, lays emphasis upon the need for doing something.

[ He asks whether Queensland cannot aid] far Southern whaling, still in the season 1893 94, by offering a premium to such Northern steamers as could be induced to come so far east here as to operate under Australian longitudes. Commerce and trade would be promoted thereby in all the colonies, with a proportionate advantage to the public revenue in each of our dominions. After the great successes of sealers and whalers under American meridians during 1892-1893, we here must feel that the latent Antarctic resources ought also to be opened up as early as possible for the benefit of Australia, particularly in these depressed times. This offer of bonus might be brought about by a speedy telegram to owners of whaling steamers now soon from the Arctic returning.