Subversion

Press, 22 December 1987, Page 12

Subversion

Sir,—When J. Gallagher claims that Geoff McDonald has failed to answer “challenges on nuclear-age security” he ignores the case for restoring New Zealand to full participation in A.N.Z.U.S., as set out in McDonald’s book, “Kiwis at the Crossroads,” in which we are reminded that New Zealand and Australia asked the United States to enter into the A.N.Z.U.S. pact, not the other way around. We must remember that the United States had nuclear arms then, and well before then, just as the Soviets had nuclear arms, which provide, of course, a nuclear umbrella for all the communist countries. No sensible person wants nuclear arms, or conventional arms either, if they can be done without. The problem with the credibility of the New Zealand peace movement is that it puts much pressure on the United States; with none at all on the Soviets? I would remind Mr Gallagher that two neutrals, Belgium and The Netherlands, were’ first to fall in both world ware. How long does he think we would last without allies?— Yours, etc., L. S. NEILSON. December 17, 1987.

Sir, —Susan Taylor (December 14), talking about the possible invasion of New Zealand by Japan in World War 11, reminds us that New Zealand is vulnerable. It was the United States navy in the Battle of the Coral Sea that saved this country from invasion. If New Zealand had no strong allies, and in this case the United States, we would have known what neutrality and unilateral disarmament mean. We would have been alone and unable to defend ourselves in the Pacific. Peter Arnold (December 14) raises similar arguments against A.N.Z.U.S. Why is it supposed to be “Right wing” for people to be concerned about the defence of New Zealand? To say that the United States is the only Power capable of invading New Zealand is ridiculous. During the

1930 s people warned Of the impending downward thrust of the Japanese, but they were laughed at In “The Kiwis at the. Crossroads,” Gebff McDonald does provide a rational argument about the Soviets. He should be listened to, not ridiculed. — Yours, etc., VERN TYREE. December 16, 1987.