Riccarton makes symbolic N-move

Press, 30 July 1985, Page 9

Riccarton makes symbolic N-move

Riccarton was declared a nuclear weapons-free zone at a Borough Council meeting last evening. The declaration was made as a symbolic gesture to support the concern of the Riccarton Peace Group, and would be added to a resolution passed last September which said the council abhorred the continued use and proliferation of nuclear weapons. It had urged the Government to support all steps aimed at prohibiting nuclear weapons. Cr Brian Harman, moving the declaration, said many young people were concerned about the spread of nuclear weapons and felt “they had been thrown into a world which could blow up at any time.” “I think it would be churlish and insensitive of this council not to pass this resolution,” he said. It would do “no harm” and would be one small step in an international movement which could bring a ban on nuclear weapons. The motion was seconded by Cr D. A. Anderson.

Cr Pat Marriner said he felt the issue had an antiAmerican slant and while he had sympathy for Cr Harman’s cause, could not support the motion. Cr Peter O’Meeghan said he had doubts about the trend to label all things nuclear contrary to the national interest, and would not support it. Cr Roy Lester said he thought the council’s original motion was the right one to stand by and wanted the status quo. Cr Merv Cooper said he

had at first withheld support because he, “did not want this council to be used by a political party. But now I’m prepared to support this because concern is world-wide.” The Mayor, Mr Richard Harrington, said he believed the motion would reiterate what the council had already said. Voting against the motion would be “voting against our original motion.” Five councillors voted for the motion and four against in a show of hands.