MR NASH WELCOMES ANTARCTIC TREATY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29068, 3 December 1959, Page 5

MR NASH WELCOMES ANTARCTIC TREATY

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, December 2.

The Government and people of jjew Zealand could regard the conclusion of the 12-nation treaty on Antarctica with considerable satisfaction, the Prime Minister (Mr Nash) said today. “I believe there will be general agreement in this country that such a treaty will go far towards establishing the kind of international peaceful co-operation in Antarctica which has been New Zealand's main objective in all discussions on the future of that continent,” said Mr Nash. “As I have already made clear, j would myself have wished to see the conference agree on a more imaginative and more adventurous approach towards the problems arising from claims to sovereignty in Antarctica.

“Wise adventures in the Antarctic, as elsewhere, have brought increasing benefits for mankind. Adventures of similar wisdom and boldness in the sphere of Antarctic policy might, in my view, have proved equally beneficial

“The fact remains that sound and satisfactory arrangements in respect of Antarctica can be achieved on a lasting basis only with the full agreement of all the countries directly concerned. All such arrangements must reflect their views.

"In the case of the Antarctic Treaty, the solution is adopted of avoiding any future disputes and territorial rivalries by freezing the present legal status quo, thus

leaving co-operation in scientific activity untroubled by political controversies,” the Prime Minister said.

From the New Zealand viewPomt. the major achievement of the treaty is that it will ensure the permanent demilitarisation of Antarctica, and prevent its use t?on War^^e P ur P oses or prepara-

‘For the first time, I believe, an international treaty makes provision for mutual inspection of the facilities of each and every Power concerned. “ Tl \ e X eaty also specifically provides that no potentially dangerous nuclear activities are to “I. Permitted in Antarctica, although it recognises that Antarctica, like other areas of the w °V d , should naturally come within the scope of any over-all agreement on nuclear energy which may eventually be drawn

“Residents of New Zealand, the countries nearest to Antarctica will, I am sure, par ticularly welcome these provisions of the treaty,” the Prime Minister added.