Antarctic expansion

Press, 11 April 1977, Page 3

Antarctic expansion

NZPA Canberra The Australian Government hopes to increase its manpower in the Antarctic by half — with the help of the United States and New Zealand. The Science Minister (Senator James Webster) has said that Australia urgently needs to intensify its work in the Antarctic because of the dramatic increase in international interest. It is believed he has the support of several Cabinet Ministers in his bid to strengthen Australia’s work in t'he region before the meeting of the Antarctic Treaty nations in London in September. Senator Webster said maintenance and rebuilding programmes should be stepped up in collaboration with New Zealand and the United States. Departmental officers are drawing up feasibility plans for the construction of an airfield at the Australian base at Davis on the north-west of

the Antarctic at an 'estimated cost of SIOM. The renewed interest comes after reports that other nations, mainly Russia, are making promising scientific advances with discoveries and possible exploitation of minerals, oil, and vast fishing reserves. Poland, possibly in collaboration with Russia, is reportedly investigating the prospect of setting up a powerful fishing fleet in the Antarctic. Senator Webster warned of a redevelopment of northern hemisphere fishing activity in the seas around the Antarctic. “Australia has a responsibility to ensure that proper management methods are developed in anticipation of exploitation,” he said. The Government would encourage universities and private enterprise to play a greater part in the Antarctic, he said. The only obvious way New Zealand could help Australia in any expansion of its

activities would be through the proposed co-operative air-transport system and the use of Christchurch Airport as a staging post for Australian air operations, said Mr R. B. Thomson, the superintendent of the Antarctic division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, in Christchurch. Commenting on Senator Webster’s proposal, Mr Thomson said he discussed the air system with the senator when he visited the Antarctic in January.

“I said that perhaps the Royal Australian Air Force might fly the Australian Antarctic research expedition to Christchurch from where the Royal Australian Air Force Hercules could take them on to McMurdo’s Williams Field. Once there then perhaps the American Navy might fly the men to the three Australian bases on the continent,” said Mr Thomson. For many years the Australians have been completely reliant on ships for their Antarctic work and Mr Thomson said in the next two or three years the Dan supply ships would be phased out. “This means that Australia will be left high and dry without access to Antarctica other than by air.”

Of the Australian proposal to examine the possibility of i building a SIOM airfield at its! Davis Station, Mr Thomson I said this was in line with | recommendations in the: co-operative air transport | plan prepared by the logistic i working group for presentation in London in September. It is believed that New Zealand is at present re-examining its long-term role in the Antarctic. For the first time since New Zealand became actively involved in scientific research on the continent a survey is now being carried out in Wellington to decide on future policy not only for the next year or two but in the long term as well.