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July 4 Picket ~ An Independent N.Z.

As slightly bedazzled and bedazed patrons weaved their way out of the new US Chancery last Monday night after a few drinks and eats in celebration of 201 years of US independence they passed about 40 cheery demonstrators who thought it was about time we started carind a bit more about our own independence than that of our US big brother.

Those members of the fur coat and bowtie brigade who weren't openly abusive or too pissed to care did their best to pretend it wasn't happening or chuckled at the slogans.: "New Zealand, independent and non-aligned" - 'we're too small to try that', 'at least this lot is better than these at Messines Road," "I'm not ashamed about being here," said 'union official' P. Mansor who summed up a prevalent attitude as he argued with the demonstrators.

The demonstrators argued that there was nothing but harm in celebrating the USA's independence without remembering the past and current actions of the US in denying independence to other countries such as Vietnam and Chile. Carter's foreign policy was slated as being "all teeth and no smile".

The USA's great power rival, the Soviet Union, was also attacked as being just as bad as the US. Examples were given of Soviet actions in Czechoslovakia, Angola and Zaire.

Both superpowers were attacked for their continuing confrontation and arms build-up which threatens us with a new world war. As the superpowers continued their war preparations, alliances like ANZUS, nuclear warship visits and even Soviet fishing fleets were drawing New Zealand deeper into danger. Great Power ties were slated as leading to involvement in past wars as well. New Zealand involvement in Korea, Malaya and Vietnam as well as our prospective involvement in Thailand was blamed on our subservience to the United States.

The demonstration was a successful conclusion to activities raising these question among workers, the general public and students. It was seen by the organisers, the July 4th Committee, as being a promising beginning to the renewed struggle [unclear: for] non-alignment and independence for New Zealand.