Island leader looks to nuclear power

Press, 29 June 1982, Page 16

Island leader looks to nuclear power

PA Auckland The Premier of the Cook Islands (Sir Thomas Davis) says his country will consider nuclear energy if there is a small generating plant appropriate for the islands. “That's how serious our energy problems are,” he said in Auckland.

Sir Thomas, who has frequently voiced his opposition to nuclear testing and dumping in the Pacific, Said he was not going to continue protesting when protest was based on “fear of phantom situations."

He had supported the antinuclear lobby, but did not wish to risk his credibility further when data was "completely lacking.” ,

"Protesters have so far refused to collect samples to verify whether their protests have any meaning. They have written to me asking me to carry their banner, but I have refused because they won’t bring back a dip of water or a fish for analysis." He said he would not raise

the nuclear issue at this year's South Pacific Forum meeting at Rotorua in August. He said he had raised the issue three or four times before, .and that this time it would be over to another delegate.

An issue he would certainly raise was his country’s continuing concern over transport to the Cook Islands.

The Cooks’ "whole economic viability” and the attainment of its economic goals depended on transport, which was “entirely in the hands of New Zealand.”

Sir Thomas said that Air New Zealand had agreed to make extra flights to the Cook Islands during holiday peaks, but had given that guarantee only until next January. Travel agents were having great difficulty in arranging package holidays from New Zealand and the United States because of the uncertainty of flight schedules.