ARE WE SORRY WE DID IT?

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33253, 16 June 1973, Page 14

ARE WE SORRY WE DID IT?

(By

WHIM WHAM)

One of the main French grievances ... u ill be the wav in which the two Commonwealth countries not only stood aside when British and American atmospheric tests were held in the Pacific, but actually assisted with the British series ... The French White Paper is certain to point out that New Zealand, now considering sending a frigate in protest against France, supplied two frigates, the Rotoiti and Pukaki. to act as weather ships for the British hydrogen bomb explosions over Christmas Island in I > —News. Sixteen years. Messieurs, have passed Since Kiwis played the Nuclear Game. Besides, that was a British Blast, — Our Views have changed, they’re not the Same. The Year is Nineteen Seventy-three, Messieurs, it’s Different, can't You see? In Nineteen Fifty-seven, we went Where Britain went, Messieurs, e'est vrai! Convinced by the same Argument As yours, which We reject Today, — Alarmists, Trouble-makers, Cranks, Had little Notice and less Thanks. We took our Dose of soothing Science. Experts and Politicians knew The Mixture that ensures Compliance. — Messieurs, is Yours the same old Brew? We swallowed It. the Taste was nice, But can It work the same Way twice? Harmless to Man, or Fish, or Bird, — We bought It, sixteen Years ago, We took OUR Experts at their Word. Messieurs, what do YOUR Experts know” Is it Politeness, to remind Us Of Messes that we’ve left behind Us? Messieurs, it’s not Polite, and yet How big a Stone have I to cast? Kiwis too easily forget Their not-so-very-distant Past. — Wouldn’t it strengthen our Position, Some Trace of genuine Contrition?