BOMB TESTS IN PACIFIC

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30056, 14 February 1963, Page 16

BOMB TESTS IN PACIFIC

Concern Over French Plan

“An emergency remit” asking the Dominion Federation of School Committees to express deep concern at the French Government’s intention to bold nuclear tests in the Gambier Islands was unanimously endorsed by about 40 delegates to the Canterbury School Committees’ Association last evening. Mr E. P. Winter called it an emergency remit because the agenda had closed for the conference next month in Whangarei The subject might not seem the normal concern of school committees, but children were involved and members should not depend on “beneficient giants” to solve their major problems. “This motion is neither aggressive nor emotional,” said Mr Winter. It was acceptable to be outspoken among friends. France had only friends in the Southern Hemisphere. The motion was concerned only with children’s welfare.

The president (Mrs G. E. Boyd) said that if school committee members felt strongly on this matter, they were entitled to attend a demonstration against the French tests to be held in

The remit might not be acceptable by the conference, but Mr Winter could register his point in other ways, said Mr R. K. Milne.

Mr J. S. Whiten said the remit at first seemed outside the province of school committees, but on second thoughts he thought most delegates would support it. All did.