Nuclear submarine visit

Press, 25 January 1979, Page 16

Nuclear submarine visit

Sir, —It is good to see the silent majority in the form of S. Westermann and S. D. Murphy (January 23) making their feelings known with regard to the visit of the Haddo. Too often the militant minority monopolise the media because they speak louder and longer than anyone else. We in New Zealand should feel grateful that the United States feels that we are worth protecting. They saved New Zealand in the Second World War from the Japanese and it is comforting to know that they would come to our aid again if danger threatened. Their presence here in New Zealand is welcomed and 1 for one would rather risk the occasional millions to one chance of a nuclear accident within our country than risk the communist accident that could well occur if the Americans’ influence was to drift away from our shores. Perhaps those that disagree would like to emigrate to Russia and see how they are treated if they sail their dinghies too close to a Russian nuclear submarine.— Yours, etc., STEVE PADDOCK. January 23, 1979.

Sir,—lf S. Westermann (January 23) really believes that the capital of a strategically insignificant country such as New Zealand would warrant the deployment of “nuclear submarines” covertly submerged in or near Auckland harbour then surely it is he that is living “out of this world.” If, however, he is arguing that this is a recent, and temporary, development to coincide with

the visit of the U.S.S. Haddo then, alas, I would agree that he is probably correct. All the more reason, surely, to oppose such visits.—Yours, R. VAN LENT. January' 23, 1979,