J. WILLIAMS. January 23,1967.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31277, 25 January 1967, Page 12

J. WILLIAMS. January 23,1967.

Sir, —Michael Greene suggests Labour members of the Labour Party should meet Marshal Ky “and other Vietnamese Government representatives” Marshal Ky is not an elected member of any government; his prominence is only secured with American sanction and support, and Senator William Fulbright has called for his dismissal. History repeats itself. The Mussolinis, Hitlers, Stalins, with their personality cults, accompanied by brutality, are eventually eliminated. Kai Shek, chased out of China, has now become an American stooge. Marshal Ky is now being projected, in all probability, with the purpose of involving New Zealanders in unwarranted support of his cause. Before the General Election, Mr Holyoake denied an. consideration of conscription. New Zealand’s involvement in Vietnam—supplying an artillery battery consisting of full-time personnel who go where told—is in itself a dubious matter, as we are not at war. All power to the protesters.—Yours, etc., A. BARRETH. January 23, 1967.

Sir, —A correspondent is furious because peaceful demonstrators, whose behaviour was described as reasonable by the Commissioner of Police, defended themselves against assault. I believe demonstrators, even' carefully conforming to good taste and police direction, are still providing too much of an excuse

for the vicious forces which are itching to destroy democracy. No-one could be offended by Marshal Ky’s words, but, in harping on the “17th parallel,” he thinks we forget that he personally led aggression across it by dropping saboteurs and guerrillas in North Vietnam. Mrs Ky’s sobstuff about children without toys is another case of words belying actions. How many dolls could have been bought with the money spent during this lady’s visit to Tokyo for plastic surgery to make her “more beautiful for her husband” and no doubt better to charm the conditioned consumer of cosmetic propaganda?—Yours, etc., VARIAN J. WILSON. January 24, 1967.

Sir, —Christchurch may have something to be thankful for. In spite of Labour councillors’ absence from Air Vice-Marshal Ky’s welcome our Mayor leads all decentlybehaved citizens in friendly greetings to visitors from the outside world. Is that not a sign of maturity and progress? It contradicts the suggestion of insularity of New Zealand dwellers—and much of the strange correspondence read daily in letters to the Editor. —Yours, etc., HAPPY LINKS. January 24, 1967.