Mr DEAKIN (Ballarat) .- There is, in these Estimates, one other item to which I desire to refer, and that is the proposed vote of £5,000 for the Antarctic Expedition under Dr. Mawson. Taken by itself, that' is a handsome grant; but when we know that New South Wales alone has set apart £7,500 for the same purpose, and that, owing to certain disappointments, the expedition has been launched with some £5,000 or £6,000 less than was anticipated to be necessary to meet its requirements, it appears to me that the Government might be reasonably asked to promptly reconsider the question. The Ministry should consider whether it ought not, at least, to bring our proposed grant up to that made by the Government of New South Wales by increasing it to £7,500. This is the first occasion on which a party of research will devote itself from first to last to an investigation of the circumstances and opportunities in the south polar regions and under which further observations in relation to climatic conditions, of first importance to Australia, will be made. The expedition will make a careful study of the whole of the conditions of this most interesting region, which has a direct and close relation to Australia! From there, probably, we may derive data that will enable forecasts to be made of weather conditions, and possibly of rainfall, that will be of the highest value to Australia, as well as, possibly, to other countries, such as South America, that are in the neighbourhood of the South Pole. The investigations proposed to be pursued have not only theoretical, but many practical, bearings, and though the expedition is purely scientific, every one of those included in it will again and again stake his 'life in the hope of serving his country. This should appeal to the country from which they proceed - most of the members of the expedition are Australians - and this continent must expect to reap the chief benefits from their inquiries. If time permitted one could enlarge upon many reasons why a claim can reasonably be put forward for the reconsideration of the amount of the grant. I hope the Cabinet will take an early opportunity of reviewing their attitude to this expedition. If Ministers have any doubt, Professor Masson, who, as the Chairman of the Committee associated with this enterprise, and who is deeply interested in the project, will be able to supply them with particulars. A great adventure of this character has many important possibilities, and is sure to produce valuable results, so that I think we might well ask the Government to exercise greater liberality in respect to it. If the expedition had set forth merely to achieve the great feat of reaching the South Pole, for which the whole world is desirous of competing, the position might have been different. But it makes no attempt to reach the Pole, setting forth with the sole object of thoroughly and systematically investigating all the circumstances and conditions of this enormous region which lies so close to Australia.

Mr Fisher - We shall reconsider the matter.