French Nuclear Tests

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31767, 26 August 1968, Page 12

French Nuclear Tests

Sir,—Voice of Women appeals to the people of New Zealand to protest against the decision of the French Government to explode a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific area. American scientists, investigating on Bikini Island 10 years after the cessation of nuclear testing, were concerned at the level of strontium 90 in the crabs which form part of the diet of these islanders. Mr Brotherson, from Raiatea Island, tells of young men. recently returned from the testing sites, whose skin is peeling off and whose hair is falling out. Information on these allegations was requested from the French Embassy but, so far, no information has been received. The people of New Zealand should be sending thousands of telegrams to the French Ambassador protesting against the exploding of a hydrogen bomb as well as asking that France should sign the test ban treaty. The continuing testing stimulates the nuclear arms race as well as increasing radio-active fall-out. The people of the Pacific owe it to our children and to future generations to make at least some protest—Yours, "violet BALLANTYNE, Secretary, Voice of Women, Dunedin, August 22, 1968.