Second smeller

Press, 25 September 1980, Page 16

Second smeller

Sir, — The present preoccupation by Cabinet ministers in trying to silence opposition to Government policy concerns me. The latest outburst against the acclimatisation societies by Mr Birch, the Minister of Energy, is typical. (The “Press.” September 23). However, in this case there is . a more sinister aspect, as Mr Birch expressed an intention to examine the acclimatisation societies’ funding, suggesting that any government assistance would be reviewed in the light of the societies’ opposition to the establishment of a second aluminium smelter. The societies were acting reasonably in expressing opposition to the development they did not agree with and the Government must accept this. Threats of the kind Mr Birch is making jeopardise New Zealand’s way of government. He must expect criticism and has the right to answer this criticism but his comments suggest a preference for dictatorship. — Yours, etc,--RICHARD AYTON. September 23, 1980.

Sir,' — I sympathise with Mr Muldoon, who is perhaps under considerable pressure from multi-national companies intending to set up energy intensive industry in New Zealand. As pointed out by Mr Brian Easton (“The Press,” September 23), unemployment will not be solved and all available evidence suggests large economic losses. We are disturbed by the prospect that New Zealand may need a nuclear power station by 1990, for the industry. Is our Government becoming a multi-National party? — Yours, etc., PAUL MARCROFT, GRAEME TAYLOR. September 23, 1980.