No arms race at our place

Press release: Peace Action Wellington

10 November, 2003



Peace Action Wellington will be holding a picket outside of Te Papa from

8:00AM-9:30AM on Tuesday the 11th of November to mark their opposition to

the New Zealand Defence Industry conference.



'It is sickening that the Labour government is spending our money on

developing an industry of death, while our hospitals and social services

are chronically under funded,' said Peace Action Wellington spokesperson

John Anderson.



'Not many New Zealanders know that the government is encouraging the

growth of a weapons industry in New Zealand.'



The government funded Trade NZ 'is active in providing assistance in the

export of Defence products' according to the NZDIA's website.



The products developed by this industry so far have included grenades,

weapons firing control systems, shoot-to-kill training equipment, 'special

purpose' munitions, and aerial bombing score systems.



There will also be a demonstration on Wednesday at 5:00PM at Te Papa to

mark the end of the conference and the start of the NZDIA awards ceremony.



Peace Action Wellington demands an immediate end to this state sponsored

death industry. For more information relating to New Zealand's weapons and

related industries visit the Peace Movement Aotearoa website -

http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/nowarp.htm



ENDS

Home