Labour still anti-nuclear

Press, 18 September 1976, Page 3

Labour still anti-nuclear

From Phillip Melchior, NZPA correspondent Port Moresby

The Leader of the Opposi- j tion (Mr Rowling) yesterday: confirmed his party's com- [ mitment to a nuclear I zone in the I South Pacific.

“We reject the claim that the concept is impractical or i s incompatible with A.N.Z.U.S.:” he said. “The Labour Party supports this alliance , but is determined above all else that New Zealand foreign policy remain in the hands of New Zealanders.

Papua New Guinea last year co-sponsored with New Zealand and Fiji a successful United Nations resolution agreeing to the principle of such a zone.

"Certainly it is an idealistic proposal. Certainly it is not a easy one to bring into operation,” Mr Rowling said.

“But the New Zealand Labour Party is still convinced that it is still far from an impossible dream, and we are still convinced that it is in the best interests of the South Pacific that such a zone becomes a reality.”

Mr Rowling said it was an open question how much longer the region could remain free from major power manoeuvring.

“It is going to take a very determined and united stand to ensure that the South

i Pacific does in fact remain [free to retain its own desitiny,” he said. I Mr ■ Rowling said the ' South Pacific region was anxious to keep big power rivalry out of its area. "In Imy view one of the best [ ways’ of obtaining this goal [is by barring nuclear weapons.”