“Most M.P.s back nuclear-free zone”

Press, 11 October 1985, Page 29

“Most M.P.s back nuclear-free zone”

NZPA staff correspondent Washington

Commonwealth members of Parliament generally support South Pacific Forum moves towards a nuclear-free zone, says the member of Parliament for Tasman, Mr Ken Shirley. Speaking from Saskatoon in Canada where he is attending the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s annual conference, Mr Shirley said the Pacific Forum Treaty had been widely discussed.

“There was wide support for and acceptance of the Pacific Forum view,” he said.

The conference had also looked at the role of the United Nations in dealing with disarmament issues.

“There was a general feeling that the United Nations had not functioned as well as it might have

done in the disarmament area,” Mr Shirley said. ‘ Other topics debated were the Gleneagles Agreement on sports relations with South Africa, and trade and development. “There were very strong feelings expressed about South Africa, and especially the view that the United Kingdom had not gone aS far as it might have done in support of Gleneagles,” Mr Shirley said. “Lavish support” was given of the stand the New Zealand Government and the whole Parliament had taken against the rugby tour of South Africa, and a general appreciation of the changed attitude by New Zealand. The Government member for Horowhenua, Ms Annette King, and the Opposition member for Rangiora, Mr Jim Gerrard, are also attending.