CO885-(21-23) — Page 266

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

CO 885

22 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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but also to obtain the large supplies of fresh water required for the utilisation of the whales caught. The need for an international agreement depends upon the consideration that whales migrate over long distances, and that accordingly the industry carried on from one country at one time is liable to injury from excessive pursuit of whales carried on from another country at another time. To restrict operations carried on from British territory without securing some corresponding restrictions on foreign territory would give rise to complaints of unfair treatment. It must also be remembered that many of the whaling grounds are near uninhabited islands which are only visited by whaling expeditions. If lawful whaling is restricted there will be nothing to prevent poaching expeditions under foreign flags, as anything in the nature of police measures is impossible. There appears to be very little exact information as to the migrations of whales, but it is the common knowledge of whalers that certain annual migrations take place, and it is believed that larger migrations occur at longer intervals.

3. Mr. Harcourt agrees with Sir Edward Grey that restriction of the issue of licences and the grant of leases for whaling purposes would not give rise to valid claims for compensation provided that there were no infraction of the existing agree- ments between His Majesty's Government and the whaling companies. But in this connection it may be recalled that many such agreements are for long terms and subject to few conditions, and any attempt to terminate them would give rise to claims for compensations. In addition to long term agreements which could not be terminated without compensation, many companies carry on whaling operations on the strength of licences for short periods, and much capital has been embarked in the Any sudden and material industry merely on the strength of these annual licences. restriction of the rights customarily accorded by the licences, and still more any sudden refusal to renew such licences, would cause waste of the money and plant of Powers; and Mr. Harcourt therefore British subjects and the subjects of friendly thinks that it would be expedient to proceed gradually, although no valid claim to compensation could be made.

4. In reply to Sir Edward Grey's question as to exactly what foreign Powers are interested in the whaling industry and the approximate extent of their interests, complete lists of holders of licences and leases in the dependencies of the Falkland Islands are enclosed. It will be seen that by far the largest proportion of the firms are Norwegian, while there are three British firms, one Argentine, and one Chilian. The extent of Norwegian interests in the whale fisheries of the world and the amount of the capital involved may be gathered from the publication "Oversigt over de vigtigste Norske Hvalfangerselskaper" (Account of the most important Norwegian Whaling Companies) which accompanied Acting-Consul Dick's letter, No. 19, Com- Mr. Harcourt has no further information as mercial, of the 23rd of March last.* to the interests of other foreign nations, and he would suggest that Sir E. Grey should invite His Majesty's representatives in the principal maritime States to report upon the point.

5. It is understood that Japan has of her own initiative adopted a policy of limitation of the number of whaling steamers, and that the maximum number now permitted for the whole of Japan is 30.

6. Mr. Harcourt concurs in Sir E. Grey's remarks as to the relations which should exist between the British Museum and the contemplated Inter-Departmental Committee; and he proposes, if Sir E. Grey has no objection, to send a copy of this correspondence to the Museum for the observations of the Trustees.

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Enclosure 1 in No. 5.

SOUTH GEORGIA WHALING Leases.

Date of Lease,

|Leaseholders.

ko. (all Lensor for 21 years).

Provision as to utilisation of whale Carcason.

Place Leased.

Area Rent. Acres.

Bemarks.

Cia Argentina de

Pesca.

£

8 Mar., '06

No

provision for utilisation

Grytviken

of whole car-

Jason Harbour

500 250 Allowed

whalere. 30 100

4

case.

Do.

Sandefjord Whaling 31 Dec., '09

Co.

Stromness Harbour 500 250 Allowed a 3rd

whaler on

payment of

an

extra

3 Feb., '10

Do.

Husvik Harbour, 500 250

Stromness Bay.

£100.

Do.

Do.

Godt Hull Harbour

114 | 250

Do.

Whole carcase to

be utilised. Do.

whalers.

Allardyce Harbour, 500

250

Do.

Do.

Cape Buller. Leith

Harbour, 500

250

Do.

Stromness Bay.

Prince Olaf Har- ? 250

bour.

Do.

Tonsbergs Hvalfan-

geri. Messrs. Bryde &

9 June, '10 Dahl. Ocean Whaling Co. 7 Mar., '11

Mesars. Chr. Bal- 25 Oct., '09

Vesen & Co

'09 South Georgia Co.... 22 Nov.,

Southern Whaling (?1 Oct.), '11

and Sealing Co.

New Fortune Bay 500 250 Limited to 2

Each lease permits the employment of one floating factory and two steam whalers, except when otherwise stated in the last column.

(18281.)

Enclosure 2 in No. 5.

FALKLAND ISLANDS.

+

WHALING LICENCES ISSUED FOR THE 1912-1913 WHALING SEASON. SOUTH SHETLANDS AND GRAHAM'S LAND.

Company.

Floating Factory.

1. Chr. Salvesen & Co.

Neko

2. "Odd " Co....

Bobraon

Bombay

Hralen

Svend Foyn

+

3. "Nor" Co.

4. Andorson & Neumann

5. "Southern " Co.

Whalers.

"Hanka" "Hirpa."

3. "Horta "

"Odd II."

Ole Wegger."

3. "Hval"

"Neb"...

"Gvas."

3. "Klo "

"Norddebla " "Selvik."

3. Flamme

"Frigg

"Frey."

n

:

Peo,

£

100

100

100

100 100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

7. "Laboremus" Co. ...

**

Roald Amundsen

100

I am,

&c.,

100

for the Under-Secretary of State.

8. "Norge " Co.

Solstreif

100

3.

?

100

9. "Ornen" Co.

orn ...

"Hauken"

100

"Grib."

3. "Havørn

100

↑ Enclosure 1 in No. 4.

10. "Hektor" Co.

Ronald

"Port Stanley

100

"Bransfield."

"T. H. Dahl "

100

7. A copy of the correspondence has been sent to the Board of Trade for con- sideration, and Mr. Harcourt concurs in the reply which Sir E. Grey proposes to send to the Board's letter of the 10th of May† to the Foreign Office.

8. Steps are being taken to consult the self-governing Dominions.

• Not printed.

H. J. READ,

6. Soc. Ballenera de Magallanes Gobernador Bories

3. Norroena III."

"Almirante Goni "

"Almirante Valenzuela."

3. "Almirante Uribe "

"Kanon "Granat."

3. "Harpun "Eik " "Bok."

"

]

33292

B 2

Company.

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SOUTH ORKNEYS.

Floating Factory.