NOT A COUP D’ETAT

Press, 12 October 1985, Page 18

NOT A COUP D’ETAT

By

WHIM WHAM

Seventeen former top defence chiefs have taken the unprecedented step of joining forces to make a strong public condemnation of the Government’s nuclear-free New Zealand policy "These geriatric generals ...” — Mr Lange.

All famous Warriors in their Day, Skilled in the military Arts, Experienced Heads and — need I say? — Stout patriotic Hearts — Old Soldiers fade away, but not Always without a parting Shot.

Like any serious Contribution, Won’t theirs be gratefully received? Here is no “Military Solution” — No angry Brick or Bombshell heaved — The Beehive hears their Trumpets blow, But will It fall, like Jericho?

Here is no Military Coup — Nations less fortunate than. Ours, We know the desperate Things they do, '.*• , The sad Collapse of Civil Powers — Who mounts the Heights where Freedom sat? Why, Colonel This, or General That’

Seventeen Paladins or Peers — For Charlemagne they came in Twelves — Of balding Brows and riper Years, Sir, are They riper than Ourselves? For Military Men — think, Dave! How innocently OURS behave:

We fear no Military Junta, Of Seventeen, or Twelve, or Less: With Words, not Swords (whichever’s blunter!) They tfirgue our Defencelessness, g,. ' It’s All been said before, elsewhere — Is once more, more than It will bear?