Call for N.Z. to back park

Press, 22 June 1989, Page 12

Call for N.Z. to back park

PA Wellington New Zealand should not ratify the Antarctic minerals convention because it will lead to mining in Antarctica and will not protect the environment, the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition says. Instead, New Zealand should promote an Antarctic Treaty park. “As soon as the minerals convention took effect, prospectors could begin their activities. There is no permit required. No veto is available to New Zealand to prevent prospecting,” the coalition’s convener. Ms Catherine Wallace, said yesterday. “Once the mining industry begins spending money in the Antarctic you will never get them out again. It is quite mistaken to think that you can have a minerals convention as stepping stone to protection. “Though the rhetoric has changed, the Government still appears to have its course set square on the minerals convention.” She said the mining convention was an illogical and inappropriate route to an Antarctic park. At an official level, New Zealand had softened its public opposition to an Antarctic no-mining park and said it had always supported it. In insisting on still promoting the minerals convention, the Government was working against Antarctic conservation.

“The Government has said it can use a veto to prevent commercial minerals activities. But this is doubtful. The Ministry of External Relations and Trade has in the past been adamant that New Zealand could not sign the convention with the intention of always using the veto. This would be a breach of good faith,” Ms Wallace said. “The veto only applies to opening areas, and prospecting can occur first. There is no veto on individual applications, and once the convention is adopted this Government cannot bind future New Zealand Governments to exercise the veto.”