Frigates

Press, 4 April 1989, Page 12

Frigates

Sir, —It seems to me that the editorial of March 23 blatantly reduces the frigate debate to a political and economic exercise. If, as most people declare, we want a peaceful world as our goal, then economics and politics should not be the main consideration. To suggest that New Zealand must go along with Australia’s wishes over the frigate purchase and other combined defence measures in order to maintain a friendly relationship, is not the best approach for achieving a lasting peace. Nor should it be a question of jobs or affordability but, rather, if it is morally justifiable for New Zealand to become a pawn in the combined military strategy of Austtralia and the United States. Neutrality would give us independence and the opportunity, to make a positive contribution to world peace as wellrespected neutral countries like Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Finland and Costa Rica have. — Yours, etc., D. STOCKER. March 28, 1989. Sir, —“America’s Cup worth 2 billion dollars.” Thank you, Michael Fay. Saved in the nick of time. Now we can afford to buy the frigates. — Yours, etc., STUART L. BRYANT. March 31, 1989.

Sir, —If New Zealand decides to buy frigates from Australia I hope she gets what she orders. Let the buyer beware, as they say. For, .if an often-repeated television advertisement may be interpreted, it would seem that the Australian Army, in good faith, ordered modern tanks, only to be fobbed off with armoured cars carrying pip-squeak main armament. Not surprising that the unhappy crews, rattling about inside in steel helmets, should be glad in emergency to be towed away to the nearest watering hole by the splendidly equipped civilian recovery service. — Yours, etc., D. P. K. RENNICK. March 30, 1989.