Nuclear weapons

Press, 7 April 1982, Page 16

Nuclear weapons

Sir,—The nuclear war threat and the question of survival has been much in the news recently, being linked possibly with the proposed insensitive visits of United States nuclear vessels to New Zealand waters. To devise schemes to enable New Zealanders to survive a nuclear war as suggested in the recent “Close Up” TV programme, is no solution. It does nothing to advance the cause of world peace. On the contrary, progress could be hindered by giving New Zealanders a feeling of false security and complacency. We are all part of one world and our concern should be that all human beings and living creatures may be allowed to live in peace and harmony with one another. The way to that goal is surely not by continually making’ preparations concerning war but by working positively and relentlessly towards total disarmament and peace—Yours, etc., D. STOCKER. April 4, 1982.

Sir,—“We the workers," writes James J. Duncan (April 5) in one of his rare flashes of insight, “have nothing to lose but our chains.” If, as usual, my old amide plume is identifying himself with the Soviet masses, I agree with him. These unfortunate people live in a society presided over by a bunch of humourless geriatrics. There is abundant evidence that the system they employ is both inhuman and inefficient. It rewards lavishly about 2. per cent of the population and keeps the rest in line through terror and denial of human rights. Verily, when we speak of chains, the Soviet masses have damn-all else to lose.— Yours, etc., GRAHAM RHIND. April 5, 1982.