Waterfront deplores nuclear policy

Press, 22 July 1976, Page 2

Waterfront deplores nuclear policy

Condemnation was heaped; by Lyttelton waterfront! unions on the Lyttelton Har-1 bour Board’s chairman (Mrl J. Brand) yesterday for his; support of Government pol-1 icy of opening New Zealand; ports to visiting nuclear! ships. The secretary, of the Lyt-[ telton Combined Port Unions; Committee (Mr M. E. Fos-! ter) said in a letter to the! board that his committee!

“deplored and condemned the attitude of Mr Brand”. However, Mr Brand said the port unions were unfair in attacking him personally. He said he was merely conveying the feelings of the board in his statements on nuclear ships. The board’s policy was to follow Government directives and policy irrespective of who was in power, he said. . "It is not the function of

! harbour boards to play poll ■ tics,” said Mr Brand.

Mr Foster said that all labour would be withdrawn while a nuclear vessel was in port as a safety measure and a gesture of opposition to such visits. “We regret such action will cause disruption to the workings of the port, but our concern transcends the normal obligations of unions and their members and, wi* r [this in mind, we must act accordingly,” he said.