Christchurch Ice capital?

Press, 10 April 1980, Page 6

Christchurch Ice capital?

Christchurch could become the capital of Antarctica, if the United Nations were given control of that continent, according to the president of the Auckland branch of the United Nations Association (Mr P. Slojak). New Zealand would be well placed to accommodate a United Nations governing commission in Christchurch, because it had long been the centre for American and other works in the Antarctic, he said. Antarctica was known to be rich in fish, oil, and minerals. Territories were claimed by seven countries including Australia, New Zealand,. Norway, France, Britain, Chile, and Argentina.

“The idea that seven countries can carve up a continent twice the size of Australia and leave 15 per

cent to 145 other States seems ludicrous’ Mr Slojak said. The Americans and Russians made no claims and recognised no others. All claims would be “on ice” until the Antarctic Treaty expired in 1991. Meanwhile there was no governing body and competition for resources could result in armed conflict. The United Nations Association of New Zealand proposed that the Antarctic be controlled as a “strategic trusteeship” under the United Nations Security Council. This arrangement would ' entail the demilitarisation of Antarctica, preservation of its ecological balance, and the fair sharing of its resources.

' This proposal was supported by the United Nations Association of Australia, Mr Slojak said.