GREATER AIR SUPPORT FOR N.Z. ANTARCTIC PARTY URGED

Press, Volume C, Issue 29696, 14 December 1961, Page 6

GREATER AIR SUPPORT FOR N.Z. ANTARCTIC PARTY URGED

"Many New Zealanders do not realise what fine work is being done in the Antarctic by our men working at Scott Base and in the fields hundreds of miles from McMurdo Sound, said Mr H. J. Walker. M.P., for St. Albans, after his return from a 10-day visit to the Antarctic, yesterday morning. “They are doing a magnificent job. But after spending three days at the base, I feel our men could do an even better job if the Government increased the scale of its support for scientific work in the Antarctic,” said Mr Walker. Mr Walker said he thought the most pressing need was for adequate air support. He had gained this impression after learning of the work done by the New Zealand field parties, and discussing the question with the New Zealanders’ good friends and neighbours “over the hill.” At present, with no Royal New Zealand Antarctic Flight operating, the New Zealanders had to rely on help from i the Americans, which was freely and generously given. “I realise that because of the loss of aircraft, it was not possible for the R.N.Z.A.F. to send the Antarctic Flight south this season,” said Mr Walker. "There is an R.N.Z.A.F. officer attached to VX6 Squadron, but if aircraft cannot be sent to the Antarctic next season, I think it would be better to arrange ■ for pilots of the Antarctic I Flight to serve with the Ame--1 ricans. Burden on Americans I “The New Zealand pilots could provide air support for our parties in the field, and I the rest of the time they 'could be engaged in work for the Americans. I understand that the Americans are keen to have such an arrangement which would benefit both 'sides. We might have to i supply an aircraft, preferably one like the Dakota, as the I Americans have to use their ‘Antarctic workhorses' alImost to the limit. But I don’t think that would be an in- ! superable difficulty.” Mr Walker said the New Zealand field parties this sea-

son were operating several hundred miles from Scott Base. They had to be flown into the interior with their dog teams, sledges, food, and other equipment, and also resupplied by air. This work imposed a burden on the Americans, although they had never suggested it was. and an R.N.Z.A.F. Antarctic Flight operating its own aircraft for both American and New Zealand field parties would be much more satisfactory. Shortage Of Beer “Another need which is not so vital, but which I intend to discuss when I go to Wellington, is the supply of beer.” said Mr Walker. “I do not suggest beer should have priority over essential cargo, but I think the New Zealand ration could be improved We have just passed a bill to improve the licensing position in Ne\v Zealand, and we could be more liberal in Antarctica.” Mr Walker said the present beer ration at Scott Base was three cans a man each week during the summer season, and two cans in winter. He was going to suggest that the ration should be two cans a man daily. Melted snow water was not particularly good to drink, even when boiled, and because of the dry atmosphere man had to drink more liquid each day than in temperate climates. "The New Zealanders will receive no more beer until January." said Mr Walker. “And they can’t even get it from the Americans. They have been without beer for nearly a month. There are nearly 1000 men at McMurdo. and when when I left the Australian song ‘The Pub with No Beer’ was most appropriate" Mr Walker, who visited the Antarctic as the guest of Rear-Admiral D. M. Tyree, has seen most of the American operations. He visited the South Pole and Byrd stations, the Empire penguin rookery at Cape Crozier, the Adelie penguin rookery at Cape Royds. and the nuclear power plant under construc-

tion on the slopes of Observation Hill. One afternoon was spent aboard the icebreaker Glacier while she was clearing the channel in McMurdo Sound.