General Election

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33095, 9 December 1972, Page 14

General Election

Sir,—The new Government should consider excluding war from the political agenda and declare, through the United Nations, New Zealand to be a neutral country. A large proportion of budgetary expenditure would be saved instead of being wasted on a non-productive defence policy. It could, of course, be argued that a defenceless country would become easy prey, but, with our present small force, are we not already a sitting duck for any country with territorial ambitions? It is also true that assistance, should such an occasion eventuate, could not in these circumstances, be expected. I believe, however, that a declared neutrality is a stronger force than a defence system, and would bring about good will that could never be achieved with the bayonet. Violence has never solved national differences, but neutrality would command respect from all nations and be an intemat- ' ional invitation to use the negotiating table instead of force.—Yours, etc., R. J. GLEN. December 7, 1972.