Frigates

Press, 30 August 1989, Page 20

Frigates

Sir, —To be anti-frigates is not to be isolationist, nor anti-Aus-tralia, nor anti-United States. These vessels are far too costly and sophisticated. Other more suitable vessels are available for our blue-water navy requirements. The acquisition of frigates will immediately weaken our anti-nuclear stand. The manufacture in New Zealand of alternative vessels will provide many more jobs than just the spin-off envisaged at present. In New Zealand the anti-frigate people — 75 per cent of the population — are leading us towards the world peace we have been seeking so long.—Yours, etc.,

J. THOMPSON. August 26, 1989.

Sir,—A decision to purchase any frigates from whatever source would mean spending an enormous sum of money by a Govewjment which is so poor that $ must run down health

services for the sick, the old and the mentally impaired. It must endanger people’s security by reducing police numbers in a country where danger from violent attacks such as stabbing, shooting and rape is reportedly greater than in the United States, where basic services such as post offices, banking facilities and public transport are cut to the bone and where the nation’s precious assets must be sold into private hands. Worst of all, the purchase of frigates is opposed by 70 per cent of our citizens. If the Government goes ahead with it, this would be a clear denial of democracy, of which New Zealand is so proud!—Yours, etc.,

MARGARET MAYER. August 29, 1989.

Sir,—Arrogantly ignoring the known wishes of New Zealand citizens (including virtually all New Zealand Labour Party members), 'the present Government is about to squander millions of dollars on unsuitable and unnecessary frigates and, in so doing, ensuring that it has no chance of being re-elected in 1990. Cabinet should have been aware that the vast majority of Labour supporters have stuck with the Government through thick and thin because of Labour’s nuclear-free stance, but this has now been abandoned in all but name in order to placate Australia. It remains to be seen which of our (present) minor political parties will reap the benefit of being a repository for the nuclear-free vote, and it is to be hoped that the various organisations which together make up the New Zealand peace movement will demonstrate a unified approach to the political question.—Yours, etc., R. L. PLUCK. August 27, 1989.