Watersiders’ threat

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34131, 19 April 1976, Page 2

Watersiders’ threat

CN.Z. Press Association) MASTERTON, April 18. Work would stop on the Wellington wharves if American nuclear ships berthed at the port, the secretary of the Federation of Labour (Mr W; J. Knox) told * a gathering of about 1000 at a mass stop-work meeting at Masterton. “Wellington watersiders have said they would not work until those ships left the country,” he said. Workers from drivers to freezing workers were also likely o refuse to service the vessels, said Mr Knox. “The answer to a nuclear ship’s coming to this country will be an emphatic, ’No’,” he said. The treatment accorded the Americans would be the same as the French nuclear tests in the Pacific, when French ships and airera' Were refused service. LABOUR GOVERNMENT The Labour Government had made it clear it would not accede to a United States request for the entry of nuclear ships into New Zealand ports. Scientists and engineers working in nuclear power stations had resigned in protest against the dangers of a nuclear accident. “No-one can say that we won’t be confronted with these same dangers if these ships come to New Zealand,” Mr Knox said. “? The United States was due to launch a submarine bigger than the Rangatira next year with a nuclear capability of destroying 4850 cities. “How can we be on guard against leaks ~hich could

destroy tens of thousands of people?” Mr Knox asked. “There should be no testing or stockpiling of these terrible weapons of war in any place in the world,” he said. The president of the Wellington Watersic Workers’ Union (Mr J. W. Milne) lat -• confirmed that union members had resolved that would stop if nuclearall work on the wharves powered ships entered Wellington Habour. “This was determined by members because they totally oppose the policy of the Go’-err nt,” he said. “There is supposed to be a nuclear-free zone in the Pacific, and this was to highlight our position.” Not only would more than 1000 watersiders stop work, but the ban would affect tally clerks, control officers, shipping clerks, and shipwrights. Silo workers at the Golden Bay cement works would also be involved, affecting deli cry of cement to building sites.