Nuclear weapons

Press, 17 March 1982, Page 26

Nuclear weapons

Sir,—l congratulate the Lyttelton' and Christchurch councils on their nuclear-weapon-free zone declarations. Only negative, complacent, unconstructive stick-in-the-muds would oppose such an important stand on principle of this kind. The present Government has the same attitude. It is the duty of everyone to do the maximum to oppose the still accelerating nuclear arms race. There are few enough opportunities to express that opposition and the Lyttelton and Christchurch moves are highly effective as an expression of public opinion and in furthering understanding of this serious matter. The antinuclear arms movement is now really getting moving both here and in Europe. We will always be proud Lyttelton and Christchurch as well as Devonport were in the lead in this part of the world.—Yours, etc., D. J. O’ROURKE. March 16, 1982.

Sir,—A well organised Christchurch-based group is to be praised for its constructive efforts to make a concerted stand against the insane arms race. We New Zealanders have not come to terms with the dire realities of the superpowers’ nuclear arsenal. It is now that we all must make a

sustained contribution to move towards making New Zealand and the Pacific region a nuclear-weapon-free zone. The leader of this group, Larry Ross, is a shining example to us all. He has made considerable personal sacrifices to awaken and motivate us to act in the best interests of humanity. I would suggest, that of all the problems confronting man. there is no more pressingly urgent than this of nuclear weapons escalation. Every New Zealander, in the interests of us all. should sign the peacemaker petition, — Yours, etc., N. G. WARD. March 14, 1982.