Poll on nuclear ship ban

Press, 8 February 1985, Page 14

Poll on nuclear ship ban

Sir,—“The Press” again displays its highly cavalier treatment of facts on A.N.Z.U.S. (February 4). The “New Zealand Herald”-N.R.B. poll quoted by “The Press” did not show that people answering the poll were against visits by nucleararmed ships “by a margin of about two to one” but by an overwhelming 76 per cent in approval of the ban as against 18 per cent disapproving. In other words, about one person in five was of the same opinion as “The Press.” Further, “The Press” selectively ignores the important finding of the “New Zealand Herald”-N.R.B. poll that 60 per cent of people wanted to renegotiate A.N.Z.U.S. and only 24 per cent disapproved. Sixty-nine per cent also wanted a nuclear-free South Pacific. Given the declaration of 98 nuclear-weapon-free zones covering 65 per cent of the population, Labour’s de facto review of A.N.Z.U.S. is eminently democratic. — Yours, etc., D. K. SMALL. February 7, 1985. Americans’ view Sir, — In response to J. and I. Nicholas’s letter, of January 30, I would remind rich American tour-

ists that their spending or their Government’s spending in New Zealand does not allow them a right to send their nuclear arsenals to our ports. Thirty pieces of silver should never force New Zealanders to betray their children’s safety. As to their assertions about out “naive Government,” if they presume that the Russian fishing vessels in Lyttelton are nuclear-powered or armed, they may as well surrender now; for surely the Russian technology and military intelligence would far surpass that of their own Government. Evidently the American Government is threatened by New Zealand’s simple gesture towards peace. I pray that our Government will not be forced to back down under bullying and that this call for peace may spread and further rock the nuclear power issue so that the catastrophic effects vividly described in Dr Neil Cherry’s article (February 5) will never destroy our world and the Americans’ holiday haven. — Yours, etc.,

A. JAMIESON. February 5, 1985.