Nuclear statement move defeated

Press, 2 August 1983, Page 8

Nuclear statement move defeated

A move to draft a statement on the build-up of nuclear arms was defeated at a meeting of the Paparua County Council yesterday. Cr R. G. Pearce wanted the council to make a declaration of its views on the nuclear arms race, following the lead of the Papakura City Council. A letter from Papakura had been considered by the council’s finance committee. No action, other than to receive the letter, was recommended by the committee. The letter should be referred back to the finance committee and a declaration, to which all councillors could agree, be drafted, said Cr Pearce. “I don’t believe that the council should declare Paparua a nuclear-free zone. “There are those who will

say that it is not the responsibility of local council to express views on such matters, but that would negate the whole principle of democracy. “We have a responsibility to declare what we feel is the viewpoint of the great majority of our citizens,” Cr Pearce said. He was supported by Cr P. K. Keller, who said nuclear arms affected the whole world and was something on which the council should express a view.

Cr W. J. Baker maintained that the issue of nuclear arms was a responsibility of the Government.

“Even if we declare the Paparua County a nuclearfree zone, what the hell good is that going to do for New Zealand?” he said. Cr A. Y. Shuker said the letter from Papakura was “a lot of waffle.”

“We are all opposed to a nuclear holocaust, whether

it is in Paparua or anywhere else, but it doesn’t carry any weight. “It is a Government decision.” He accused some council members of wanting the letter to be referred back to the finance committee to give them time to “get all their waffle together and get organised with their letters to the Russians and the rest of them.” Papakura was “being stupid” and had its head in the sand, said Cr Shuker. Rabbits People not wanting to kill unwanted pet rabbits were dumping them, the council was told. Cr G. T. Wright, who is also a member of the Plains Pest Board, said that some trees in Victoria Park had been ring-barked by rabbits. Tthe park would be closed to the public and poison laid, because of the large number of rabbits in the area.