FUNDS FOR WORK IN ANTARCTIC

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28231, 20 March 1957, Page 14

FUNDS FOR WORK IN ANTARCTIC

Government Aid Up To £250,000

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 19.

The Prime Minister (Mr Holland) said today that the Government’s contributions to the New Zealand Antarctic expedition and to the Antarctic observation of the .International Geophysical Year would probably amount to £250,000. The Government had greatly extended its original gift of £50.000 for the Antarctic expedition by, undertaking responsibility for the purchase and refit of a ship, a specially adapted aircraft, and radio equipment, he said.

Mr Holland said that he hoped that any appeal for funds which might be made by the Ross Sea Committee would be generously supported by the public.

Mr Holland was referring to a statement by the chairman of the committee, Mr C. M. Bowden, that the committee was £15,000 short of funds to pay its debts ,and that another public appeal was likely later this year. “The Ross Sea Committee is looking after the New Zealand end of Sir Edmund Hillary’s expedition.” Mr Holland said. “Sir Edmund Hillary and his men have established themselves in the Antarctic, and their preliminary work has created a very fine impression. I am confident that the public will see that they are well supported as the main objective of the expedition, the meeting of the British trans-Polar party, approaches,” said Mr Holland.