SUPPORT OF FUCHS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28479, 8 January 1958, Page 8

SUPPORT OF FUCHS

“Responsibility Fulfilled”

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 7. Sir Edmund Hillary’s decision to go to the South Pole independently had not jeopardised Dr. Vivian Fuchs’s party in any way, said the chairman of the Ross Sea Committee (Mr C. M. Bowden) today. He said that the New Zealand expedition had fulfilled its responsibility to support Dr. Fuchs’s party by laying supply depots of fuel and food.

Mr Bowden said that the published report of Sir Edmund Hillary’s advice to Dr. Fuchs to abandon his attempt to cross the Antarctic Continent had been prematurely released. “Do not think Sir Edmund Hillary’s action has caused any ill-feeling,” he added. ‘‘There has been the utmost co-operation between the two leaders, and as far as I know there is mutual confidence. Dr. Fychs and Sir Edmund Hillary are in the positions of commanders in the field. It is obvious that both have got to exercise their judgment in the circumstances. Dr. Fuchs "Confident” “Dr. Fuchs is perfectly confident, and we are watching with great interest the progress that he is making,” Mr Bowden said. “The situation is fluid.” Mr Bowden said that the headquarters of the expedition in London had decided that it was not necessary to modify the expedition’s basic plan. The Ross Sea Committee had accepted the decision, and would co-operate ip any policy that was adopted. “The Ross Sea Committee has never lost sight of its primary duty to support Dr. Fuchs in accomplishing the trans-Antarctic journey, and all our plans and activities have been directed to that end. I am sure that Sir Edmund Hillary also has that responsibility clearly in his mind.” Mr Bowden said that he thought the criticism of Sir Edmund Hillary’s decision to go to the Pole was not justified. The suggestion that Dr. Fuchs should cross the Antarctic in two stages over a two-year period was doubtless prompted by Sir Edmund Hillary’s assessment of the condition of the ice, said Mr Bowden. Hillary’s Plans Asked whether Sir Edmund Hillary would go to Depot 700 to meet Dr. Fuchs, Mr Bowden said: ‘‘That will depend on the exigencies of the situation. He stands ready to go to Depot 700 or wherever Dr. Fuchs may ask to meet him.”

The London headquarters of the expedition had asked the New Zealand party to establish a base at Depot 800 (800 miles from Scott Base) if necessary. The New Zealand party would go to the assistance of Dr. Fuchs’s party in an emergency. However, Mr Bowden was of the opinion that it would not be necessary for Dr. Fuchs to curtail his expedition’s scientific work.

‘‘Dr. Fuchs has been faithfully carrying out that work,” Mr Bowden said. “That fact and the bad country would account for his comparatively slow progress. We have reason to think that his progress will be more rapid and that he will get into better country.”

Cigarettes Stolen.— Cigarettes valued at £1 were stolen by thieves when they broke into the premises of Sansom Motors, 281 Tuam street, on Monday night.