Request for a whaling licence for a floating factory at South Georgia or South Shetland

Abstract

GG 312 5/46 1 folder, 5 pages. Manuscript notes and documents Correspondence re. a letter from the Managing Director of the Union Whaling and Fishing Company of Durban, 30 Dec. 1912, requesting the exercise of Lord Gladstone’s influence in securing his company a whaling licence at South Georgia or South Shetlands, or a floating factory. The reply to this request states that the Company failed with a similar application in 1910 and that the number of licences considered desirable have already been issued. The Private Secretary of Lord Gladstone replied to the request by stating that South Georgia and South Shetland lie wholly outside of Lord Gladstone’s sphere of influence and he cannot interfere in the matter but has forwarded the letter to the Secretary of State for the Colonies for his consideration.