Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 36, Number 23. 23rd September 1973

Don't Trade with Head Hunters!

Don't Trade with Head Hunters!

The 40 man Trade Mission from Portugal, which is arriving in New Zealand next week, will get a hostile reception from anti-apartheid groups and a cold shoulder from the Labour Government.

Ostensibly the aim of the visit is to reduce the present trade imbalance between New Zealand and Portugal. But the Portuguese are desperately trying to build up their international trade to subsidise their military expenditure in Africa. Over 50% of Portugal's annual budget is spent on maintaining an army of over 250,000 men in its three African territories — Guine-Bissau, Angola and Moxambique.

The fascist government, which has controlled Portugal since 1926, has declared that its three African colonies are "overseas territories of Portugal" which will never be granted political independence. Although a few Africans have been assimilated into the Portuguese colonial elite, the great majority of people in Guine-Bissau, Angola, and Mozambique are forced to work in plantations, mines etc. for very low wages. They are not allowed to form political parties or trade unions. Schools and medical services for Africans are virtually non-existent.

In all of its African colonies Portugal faces the opposition of national liberation movements determined to win their independence through the only means available — armed struggle. These movements, closely linked with the African people, have liberated large areas of their lands and established their own administrations, education and medical services.

The Portuguese have reacted brutally. The Wuriyama massacre of 400 men, women and children by Portuguese troops in Mozambique last December caused an international uproar when it was exposed in the London 'Times' this July, but it was only the most recent outrage in the 400 year history of Portuguese colonialism in Africa.

The Portuguese can only carry on their African wars because of the political, military and economic backing they receive from the U.S. and the West European countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Their reason for supporting Portugal is simple. West German, British, American, Swiss, French, Japanese, Rhodesian and South African companies are making huge profits out of the vast natural resources of Angola and Mozambique.

Mr Kirk has stated that the Trade Mission will not be received by any Cabinet Minister. But he has refused to dissuade New Zealand businessmen from fraternising with the mission, and to end NZ trade with Portugal.

The Portuguese workers and peasants who eke out a miserable existence at home and are forced to fight an imperialist war in Africa, and the people of Guine-Bissau, Angola and Mozambique have suffered under a fascist regime for too long. New Zealanders must show theur opposition to Portuguese colonialism by telling the Trade Mission directly that they are unwelcome here.

Meeting and picket outside James Cook Hotel, The Terrace Monday September 24, 7pm.