Nuclear submarine launching

Press, 16 April 1979, Page 12

Nuclear submarine launching

Sir, — We, the undersigned wish to join with the thousands in America at present working to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons into the south-west Pacific. The recent launching o f the first Trident submarine, U.S.S. Ohio, is but the initial step leading to a first-strike nuclear war. We regard this new first-strike American nuclear strategy as announced by the then United States Defence Secretary. Schlesinger, in May, 1975, as being in direct contravention of international law and against the spirit of the defensive ANZUS treaty. — Yours, etc., J. HIGGINS. N. HIGGINS. B. MARTINDALE. April 11, 1979. Sir, — The presence of the genocidal weapon, Trident, in the Pacific is a grave threat to world peace and to the security of the Pacific countries. Its superaccurate missiles will be able to travel. 6000 miles. This means that a Trident submarine, cruising as far south as New Zealand, can still remain within firing range of its Soviet targets. The Soviet response to Trident will be to send its nu-clear-armed “hunter killer” submarines to patrol the Pacific. The United States will then send its hunterkiller submarines such as Haddo, to track the Soviets. Trident is the ultimate firststrike weapon. The firststrike military policy of the United States is basically a declaration of nuclear war. The New Zealand Labour Party is committed to the concept of a nuclear-weapon-free Pacific, as Mr Rowling stated (“The Press,” January 18): “This region is the last remaining opportunity to take a stand against the stepping-up of the arms race.” — Yours, etc., ‘ ANNE FINDLAY. April 12, 1979. Sir, — As the Harrisburg reactor cools down the Cold War heats up. The launching of the first-strike, nucleararmed Trident submarine is a declaration of nuclear war. These weapons are designed to destroy at one unforewarned co-ordinated blow, some 200,000,000 people each. As there are to be launched 30 such weapons within the next few years, the capacity for killing 6,000,000,000 people will prowl the Pacific. A first-strike kill of 6,000,000,000 is not only genocide and thus contrary to International Law but is also sadly wasteful of nuclear resources: there are only 4,000,000,000 people in the world. — Yours, etc., J. V. PETERSEN. April 11. 1979. Fish farming

Sir, — After listening to the series of short rural programmes about trout farming, I am surprised it is not a reality. What are the reasons for this vehement opposition? Dr Mike Hine, a fish disease expert, dealt summarily with the disease aspect, and the information Mr Neil Isaac had obtained

from Australia overshadowed the economic argument. As a bystander, I find that the pro lobby tend to have expertise and factual presentation backing their case, whereas the anti lobby seem to present subjective and emotive arguments that are as credible and repetitive as a parrot’s. If they are so certain of their stance why then introduce political blackmail? Was it a shield to hide the flaws in their argument. — Yours, etc., CHARLIE McAHEALEY, West Melton. April 9, 1979. !