The Whaling Dispute The breakdown of the complicated negotiations between
this country and Norway over whaling in the Antarctic is extremely unfortunate. The sequence of events is clear. Agreement could not be reached over the figures to which the season's catch was to be limited (this is necessary if the whales are not to be exterminated) or over the question whether a quota should be allotted to each individual floating factory. Owing to lin breakdown the Norwegian sailors by which the British as well as the Norwegian ships are manned refused to serve on the former, and in order to train British crews for the British ships the close season hitherto observed is to be abandoried. That is obviously regrettable, and tl oigh its direct cause is the Norwegian seamen's boycott the whole controversy hinges on a question not of principle but of the figures to be fixed under the restriction scheme. It would seem as though even now it was worth while attacking that problem once more. This, it appears, is still possible, for it is reported that at the last moment the Norwegian seamen have withdrawn the boycott at the urgent instance of their Government. The differences are clearly such as common- sense and goodwill should smooth out.
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