Anti-nuclear bill

Press, 14 January 1986, Page 20

Anti-nuclear bill

Sir, — I have studied the various controversies surrounding the A.N.Z.U.S. debate and raise the following question: Did a majority of New Zealanders vote for the A.N.Z.U.S. manifesto Labour put forward prior to the elections, or did they vote for a change in politics away from the six years or so of Muldoon policies? I feel a national referendum is sorely needed on the whole nuclear issue, conducted with a completely neutral stance, so New Zealanders can ascertain the total picture. — Yours, etc.,

RICHARD CARPENTER. January 10, 1986.

Sir,—From letters I have received from some National members of Parliament, there would seem to be some hope that, given time and a willingness to compromise, it might be possible to achieve a bipartisan, or, including the Democratic Party, a tripartisan anti-nuclear policy. If the Labour Government is serious about spear-heading a drive towards nuclear disarmament, it ought to realise that its policy would be more likely to succeed if

it were seen as being a New Zealand policy rather than that of a political party. That part of the anti-nuclear bill which bans nuclear-powered ships is silly and irrelevant, and should be dropped. If we are to switch to non-nuclear defence, there needs to be more emphasis on restrained collective action against international aggression. We should be prepared to give at least food aid to the people of Afghanistan in their fight against the Russians. — Yours, etc., MARK D. SADLER. January 10, 1986.