Condemnation By P.M.

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31767, 26 August 1968, Page 1

Condemnation By P.M.

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 25.

The French thermonuclear bomb test in the South Pacific was condemned by the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) as being in flagrant disregard of world opinion.

Noting that it had been assumed for some time that the 1968 French nuclear test series would include a thermonuclear explosion, Mr Holyoake said, “The fact that the news was expected should not make us any the less concerned.” The New Zealand Government’s primary objection to the continuation of the French testing programme was that it ignored the clear international trend in the last few years towards limiting the spread of weapons of mass destruction. For the same reason, the Government also objected to the development of nuclear weapons by China, he said. Two Treaties It was in the context of the partial test ban treaty of 1963 and this year’s non-prolifera-tion treaty that French determination to press ahead with their weapons development programme was most regrettable.

“In addition to this broad basis of objection New Zealand has, of course, special reason to be concerned about the French test explosions because of our geographical location, and the Island territories in the South Pacific whose interests we must protect.” New Zealand had established a substantial monitor-

ing network to check on possible health hazards arising from the French tests at Mururoa and Fangataufa, the Prime Minister said. “Some Risk”

“So long as testing of any kind continues in the atmosphere there must always remain some risk. “To date there has been no evidence to suggest that the French tests have created hazards, either by immediate fallout effects or through delayed effects, but the New Zealand public may be assured that we shall continue to keep a close watch on the situation,” said Mr Holyoake.