NZ keeps a close ear on N-tests

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 52, 2 July 1974, Page 6

NZ keeps a close ear on N-tests

The most interesting news of last week was that New Zealand knew exactly when the first French nuclear test at Mururoa Atoll was detonated. This was a long advance on last year's effort, when for various reasons the exact time of the French blast was not known. The Prime Minister, Mr Kirk, made it clear that New Zealand knew this time "by our own resources." He was able to say that the device was less than 20 kilotons, and gave the exact time of its detonation. It is worth remembering that New Zealand was the first nation to give warning, more than 20 years ago, of the dangers of atomic build-up. PATTERN OF FEAR The French nuclear tests may be all over by the time this is published — but it is unlikely. Mr Kirk predicted that there would be between five and seven separate explosions, each separated by a "set-up time" of from >o to three days. Mr Kirk also predicted that one would be a free-fall weapon — that is, a bomb dropped by an aircraft. Mr Kirk's advisors have told him that the measure of French success at Mururoa has been in miniaturisation. "This is no cause for relaxation on our part," Mr Kirk said. "We only need to think what can be done with weapons such as these. . ." It is, after all, a world of terrorism by small, suicidal parties — not a happy thought. TAIWAN AND SPORT It seems that the new world is going to continue to dictate the boundaries of sport. According to Mr Kirk, swimmers from what used to be called the Republic of China, situated on the island of Taiwan, can compete in New Zealand individually or as a team from the Taiwan province of China (with permission, of course, from the People' s Republic of China in Peking) — but not as a team representing China. At present Taiwan is a member of FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation Aquatique) and Communist China is not. But it does look as if Taiwan is "out" as far as New Zealand is concerned unless it can get some recognition from the People's Republic — which is regarded as unlikely. MALAYSIAN STUDENTS New Zealand has no intention of seeking to interfere in the internal politics of other nations. Mr Kirk has made this clear by his attitude over a Chinese-Malaysian former student, now awaiting trial in Malaysia. First New Zealand reaction was to seek full information on the prisoner — but this has not yet been forthcoming. Second reaction has been to decide that all Malaysian students coming to New Zealand universities in 1976 must have passed the same requirement as Malaysian students attending Malaysian universities — the passing of a test in Malay. x This may be regarded as racial by some critics — but if so the racialism is not of our making. DIPLOMATIC MOVES As expected, New Zealand has at last moved diplomatically into Arab countries. We shall have an office in Cairo, and very possibly offices in other capitals such as Teheran. Initially anyway they will not be manned by diplomats, of ambassadorial rank, but our present Ambassador in Rome (Mr P. N. Holloway) will have a minister - plenipotentiary status in the Arab oil-rich and protein-poor countries. The forecast is that this move will consolidate New Zealand's new bargaining power. The price and supply of oil has a long way to go yet

before stabilisation — the re-opening of the Suez Canal will create another crisis — but at least New Zealand is not unprepared. POLICE CHIEF RETIRES The retirement of the Commissioner of Police, Sir Angus Sharp, on January 9 will signal the end of an era in the New Zealand Police Force — but Sir Angus would be the first to admit that many problems remain unsolved. Despite many innovations in the police force, which has been strengthened to deal with modern trends of violence, it has not yet been decided that all policemen should carry firearms. The demand, it seems, comes from the need to determine whether firearms are necessary to protect the

lives of policemen. Even to the men themselves this is regarded as "not proven." ' Some policemen would be unhappy if forced to carry a holstered pistol. TEACHERS REQUIRED A campaign directed at raising 600 competent teachers (400 primary, 200 secondary) will be launched immediately. The idea is to bring back into active teaching qualified women teachers who have left to marry and raise families, plus retired teachers, plus those who after teacher-training have gone into other occupations. How this can be done in time for most of them to be active during the 1975 school year is still a problem — but the Minister of Education, Mr Amos, is sure the potential is there. The idea is regarded as a first major step in achieving a Labour party goal of one teacher to every 20 children in the primary sector. '1 '