Tests and protests

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33093, 7 December 1972, Page 16

Tests and protests

Sir, —Protesting against nuclear testing by “any nation” was originally the sole perogative of a small group of people known as the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. These people were for many years subjected to scorn and ridicule from press, politicians, and public, but eventually they managed to educate the public on the dangers inherent in nuclear testing, and brought pressure upon the Government to take action in the United Nations. The independent people who sailed into the test area as well as the search for the Boy Reel, along with the F.O.L. action, were the factors tht caused world attention to focus on French testing. Now that the new

Governments of Australia and New Zealand are expressing more concern for health than trade, there will no doubt be stronger action by other Pacific nations.—Yours, etc., JOHN J. FORSTER. December 5, 1972.

Sir, —I do admire people who give credit where it is due. As the Federation of Labour was the first to protest against the French tests I am' sure Mr Tom Skinner would make an excellent captain for our protest frigate, carefully choosing his own crew, and perhaps H. Griffiths would care to be an anchor, undoubtedly making a great splash at zero hour.—Yours, etc., SHIRLEY B. December 6, 1972.