N.Z., Ireland, and the E.E.C.

Press, 28 August 1978, Page 16

N.Z., Ireland, and the E.E.C.

Sir, — Why does A. Robertson pick on the Irish farmer? The truth is that the importation of our dairy products is opposed by the farmers of all E.E.C. nations, including England. Ireland is emerging from centuries of occupation and oppression by the British who imposed laws that denied the natives every human and material right including the ownership of their own land. A, H. Minish is under a misapprehension. Both the Prime Minister, Mr Lynch, and the 1.R.A., have a common objective — the means of achieving it being the only difference. Both have called for a British declaration of intent to withdraw from Ireland’s six northern counties. Mr Lynch, speaking for 80 per cent of the people of all Ireland, has pointed out the logic in terms of ending human suffering, loss of life, crippling financial cost, etc., of a British blessing on Irish unity. The I.R.A. believes that the British understand only the language of force. — Yours* etc., D. J. LEAHY. August 25, 1978. Sir, — By hastily shifting ground from current troubles to World War 11, A. Robertson (August 25) confirms the obvious — that his motivation is hatred of Ireland rather than concern for New Zealand. Which “enemies” were comforted by Ireland’s war-time neutrality, or Sweden’s, or Switzerland’s? Britons relying on Irish agriculture? Belfast bombing victims welcoming ambulances and fire brigades

from the south? British airmen ditching in Ireland who were quietly shipped home while their German counterparts were interned? New Zealand’s interests are, I suggest, better served byaccepting post-imperial realities than by propagating racist bigotry. — Yours, S. O. MAHONY. August 25, 1978. Sir, — As “British over Ulster is hot recognised by the Irish people, the only people legally entitled to confer it, British occupation of the six counties constitutes aggression, and as the rights of the conflict reside on Ireland’s side and the wrongs on Britain’s, one can well understand A. Robertson’s reluctance to enter into futile argument. The correct analogy of the British colonists in Ulster to Britain, if parallels are taken in Czechoslovakia’s history is the relationship of the Sudeten Germans to Nazi Germany. The unequivocal reminders by which A. Robertson hopes to appeal to his United Kingdom kinsmen are likely to fall on deaf ears. Britain has little influence on E.E.C. policy and its entry therein was little more than as a suppliant. The banning of “people; products, and priests,” has equally little chance of adoption. — Yours, etc., M. CREEL. August 25, 1978.