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Press, 5 September 1989, Page 12

and health services are under threat from budgetary restrictions, the idea of buying four frigates to defend us against, or attack, an enemy who has not yet been identified seems as damaging as National’s “think big” programme of 1981. The enemy is not Russia, which has never committed a warlike act against New Zealand. The real enemy is fear, which is internal to New Zealand. This Government has taken a moral stand against nuclear threats in the past. If it fails now by opting to buy the frigates, the possibility of our example leading international pressure to break free *of fear-dominated politics will collapse. I hope the Labour caucus has the moral strength to say no.—Yours, etc.,

RICHARD HARMAN. August 30, 1989.

Sir, —The Democrats form the only political party that is not locked into the tunnel vision of the past. They know of the realistic ways to raise ourselves other than the gross waste of resources, as evidenced in the proposed purchase of Australian frigates. As fisheries protection vessels, these frigates will be totally unsuitable. As a prop to a failing economy, they will be total anathema. The money the Government intends to spend is totally out of proportion to the gains we are supposed to realise in increased technology. Fisheries protection vessels designed specifically for our needs can be designed and built here at a fraction of the capital and running costs. The frigates, as proposed, are offensive weapons and who could believe they would not be nuclear-capable? We have many examples of Kiwi ingenuity, languishing for lack of suitable research and development finance. We have thousands needing adequate housing. We have the shocking prospect of people hungry and cold in a land of plenty. The deceit of the present Government and the lack of imagination of the others should be enough to prompt reasonable people to take an honest look at the Democratic alternative. — Yours, etc., HARRY ALCHIN-SMITH. August 28, 1989. Sir, — In the beginning was the word, and the word was "restructuring.” And the word was used to justify: all evils, such as mass unemployment, empty hospital wards, empty factories, deserted post offices, empty promises. In the name of restructuring the only “creative” act so far seems to be the Government’s active promulgation of the frigate issue. Now, Mr Tizard seems hell-bent on presenting the frigates to the public as a fait accompli, ostensibly to create employment, Jnit in reality to keep ourselves in Australia’s pocket, and assure Mr Tizard of a place in the history books. How can the manufacture of certainly two frigates, but probably four in the final analysis, be Interpreted as a creative political act? In the light of imminent hospital closings and burgeoning unemployment, how;; can the building of frigates or any other ships of war be construed as being in the best interests of the public at large? — Yours. etc., . tBIUL FILSHIE < August 30, 1989. Sir,—The present - Labour Government must go down in history for its; contradictions and inconsistencies. In the cause of economy it has made savage cuts in - national superannuation, wbich-it says is unsustainable; in a time’of increasing and unparalleled violence and lawlessness, it made drastic cuts in police numbers, reduced hospital services< which are already inadequattjurned the mentally ill out into ate. community to fend for