Nuclear weapons

Press, 17 August 1983, Page 12

Nuclear weapons

Sir,—E. Richards’ assurance (August 16) that he is not cynical about the possibility of preventing nuclear war is a positive aspect of his letter. So is his statement that he is not content with New Zealands pawn status, and his recognition that the 50,000 signatories are not fools. As he says, they are entitled to their opinions; but it seems that in his view these opinions are based on vague hopes for peace expressed as highfaluting theories. He is as wrong in this as he is with his idea that New Zealanders have no option but to link their future to the ‘exigencies of foreign policy as dictated by prevailing political and economic circumstances,” if by these “exigencies” he means staying stuck with A.N.Z.U.S.—Yours, etc., R. TATE. August 16, 1983.

Sir,—May I suggest a plan of action to all who are serious about world-wide nuclear disarmament? A lot of us feel there is so little we can do to achieve any influence on world powers to disarm, but using the maxim “the pen is mightier than the sword” my suggestion is that we write letters to those leaders and tell them of our abhorrence of nuclear weapons. Request them to disarm in straight-forward language. Imagine the impact of

hundreds of letters arriving on their desks each day. It may sound fanciful, but if everyone did it, it could work. Surely it is worth a try. I am not going to be blown ■up without showing any resistance. Bullies must be stood up to, and apathy will prove fatal.—Yours, etc H. W. GRAY. August 12, 1983.