New Zealand Rethinks A-Ban

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Prime Minister David Lange said today that he will talk with U.S. officials before introducing legislation supporting his government’s ban on nuclear-powered and nuclear-armed warships from New Zealand ports.

Legislation on the issue “must be seen to be in no sense anti-American and we have to be sensitive to that,” Lange said. He spoke a day after Secretary of State George P. Shultz said the ANZUS defense treaty binding Australia, New Zealand and the United States may be reviewed if New Zealand legislates such a ban.