N.Z. Aid For Refugees

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31755, 12 August 1968, Page 12

N.Z. Aid For Refugees

Sir, —The Government’s decision to withdraw New Zealand’s contribution to the United Nations refugee operations will, I hope, have shocked the conscience of the country. It is going to be very difficult for New Zealanders to hold their heads up in the world, when ours, according to the Rev. R. M. O'Grady, is “the only Western country to refuse any contribution.” It may well be said that New Zealanders contribute privately to many aid programmes on a very generous scale, and it is true that they do. But even these have gone down in value with devaluation. Anybody who has travelled outside this country and seen the degrading poverty which exists in so many parts of. the world will regard the Prime Minister’s ground of “economy” for the cancellation as ludicrous. It is to be hoped that the Government will receive so many protests about this matter that they will be forced to reinstate, and even increase, the contributions made in the past.—Yours, etc. The Rev A. G. GEORGANTIS Chairman, Public and Social Affairs Committee, Diocese of Christchurch. August 11, 1968.

Sir, —I was appalled to learn of the Government’s decision to withdraw all financial support for the United Nations refugee aid programme. The excuse given is that our economic situation does not allow such expenditure. This is ironic when one considers the countries which do support this programme—e.g. India—and compare their standard of living with our own. Children searching in rubbish bins for food in Auckland create a national scandal, but these children are somehow different f.om the thousands more dying from malnutrition in Biafra—we apparently don’t need to worry about the latter, at least not enough to waste any of our precious overseas funds bn them. It is to be hoped that all New Zealanders who really care for humanity, or say they do especially all Church groups and similar organisations—will publicly voice their disapproval of this decision. If the protest is voluminous enough, the politicians concerned may even develop a conscience.—Yours, etc., BORIS WHELAN. August 11, 1968. Sir,—New Zealand, complacent in its high standard of living, and what many informed people Consider its dangerous military alignment can spend huge sums on outdated. so-called defence and deterrence—s3B million for U.S. bombers and $23 million for a frigate—yet has stopped its modest humanitarian insurance premium to the United Nations refugee operations, used to alleviate hunger, poverty and hardship which are major causes of war.—Yours, etc., SETH NEWELL. August 10, 1968.

Sir,—lt must come as a shock to all of. us to learn that the Government has withdrawn all aid to refugees. The financial situation of New Zealand may not be at its best but the Government obviously considers it good enough to: (1) raise considerably the pay of all members of Parliament: (2) many million dollars on a new vessel for the Navy; (3) refit the Air Force with a complete change in strike aircraft. Is it necessary to place these things before the important task of resettling and saving the lives of the distressed peoples of the world?—Yours, etc., D.R.T. August 10, 1968. • ■