Omega Navigation System and Operation "Deep Freeze"

"Before some people get too far out into the twilight world of science fiction and political mumbo-jumb I might recall a few of the basic facts" said the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Keith Holyoake, today commenting on various reports relating to the investigation of the possibility of establishing an Omega navigation station in Canterbury and to Operation "Deep Freeze".

"First, the Omega navigation system is not established to assist in the operations of Polaris submarines. It is designed to provide the first world wide aid to navigation. As such it is a valuable refinement of existing navigation system already well established throughout the world such as Loran and Decca which, however, do not give comparable coverage, particularly in our area.

"Secondly, this is not a classified military project. All civil departments with an interest have geen kept in touch and will continue to be consulted.

"Thirdly, there is no basis for the assertion that the operations of Polaris submarines depend upon the establishment of the Omega navigation system. Polaris submarines have been in operation with the United States Navy for about ten years, and it would be ridiculous to think that a reliable navigation system is only now being investigated.

"Fourthly, Operation "Deep Freeze" is not a military project. It is the name for the United States Antarctic Research Programme. The United States military authorities provide support for the programme, just as our own military authorities support the New Zealand programme. Antarctic research will benefit New Zealand and other countries, and we have therefore long supported it without anyone discovering siniister implications.

"Fifthly, the Government has not yet taken a decision about the establishment of an Omega navigation station because the project is still at the stage of investigation. If me investigation suggests to the United States authorities that they should proceed, they will doubtless approach the Government again and we shall then give it consideration. In doing so, I might say. the Government will not be deterred by the ill informed and emotional reaction we have seen from some in the last day or so and will, as always, be guided by the interests of New Zealand. While further study wil be needed it may be of interest to note that the Civil Aviation Department commented, the Omega system has considerable promise' and 'from the New Zealand point of view, we would strongly support the introduction of a satisfactory radio-navigation system for use by Air NZ, while the Marine Department saw the system removing the need for our own radio beacons, and the Lands and Survey Department suggested the system 'should result in safe navigation for air and sea transport services'. The suggestion that the Government has kept people uninformed about a decision to establish a base is pure fantasy.

"Both these issues have been distorted and thrown out of perspective although I have issued full statements on the Omega system and replied to correspondence on Operation "Deep Freeze". I suggest that before there are any more Luddite marches or hysterical discovery of nuclear bogeys those concerned should take some trouble to get the facts straight."

26 June 1968.