IMMEDIATE END TO NUCLEAR TESTS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28540, 20 March 1958, Page 11

IMMEDIATE END TO NUCLEAR TESTS

Canadian Support Urged By Pearson (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) OTTAWA, March 19. The former Canadian External Affairs Minister, Mr Lester Pearson, said last night that Canada should support an immediate end of nuclear weapons tests. Mr Pearson, the Leader of the Liberal Party in Canada, said: “After much thought and in view of recent development, I believe now that Canada should support an immediate ending of nuclear tests—at least for a substantial period—as a first step in bringing these awful weapons under control.” He suggested that with the advent of intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Western alliance should try using the removal of some of its air bases ringing Russia as a diplomatic bargaining lever with the Communists.

With the launching of vehicles into outer space the whole picture of military strategy had changed and no defence dollar should be spent by the Canadian Government that “does not At into this new strategic picture,” he said.

Mr Pearson said the ban on nuclear tests could be reviewed at the end of five years.

"This ban should be supervised by the United Nations.” he said. “With detecting apparatus now available. I am satisfied that a nuclear explosion could not take place—and the prohibition be evaded—without it being known.” Speaking on negotiations with the Russians, Mr Pearson said Western proposals should be worked out by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Council A N.A.T.O member then should be appointed to conduct discussions with the Communists. He said he did not believe a summit conference would be as pffective as diplomatic negotiations. but if a summit conference were held, “it should be confined to the United States and Russia, with the former having previously discussed with its N.A.T.O allies the policies to be put forward.”