threat posed by the existence of nuclear weapons. Some important agreements have ooen concluded relating to these weapons. But the hard fact is that there has been little progress in the direction of nuclear disarmament. On the contrary, although some weapon system have been scrapped -and not through any agreements worked out under international machinery -these have been replaced by newer and more sophisticated weapons. And today the international community is faced with the possibility that the military competition between the two major Powers may move into the new environment of outer space. The power to reverse the process of escalation and the responsibility for making progress to that end rest with the nuclear-weapon States and especially the two major nuclear Powers. Nevertheless, all countries, including small States like New zealand, have a right and a duty to respond to the demands of their peoples to do all they can to bring the nuclear-arms race to a peaceful conclusion. The weight of collective opinion against nuclear proliferation -both vertical and horizontal -must not be dismissed. New Zealanders have always known that however removed their country might be in distance from the most strategically vulnerable parts of this world, they cannot expect to escape the horrible consequences if nuclear weapons are ever used. If they had ever hoped otherwise that hope has been dashed by the increasing number of studies about the effects of a possible global nuclear winter resulting from a major nuclear war. My Prime Minister put it this way when he addressed the Conference on Disarmament earlier this year: "New Zealand is a small country and remote. But if there should be a nuclear war then New zealand will join the company of those who have destroyed themselves". JSM/gmr A/C.l/40/PV.S 42 (Mr. McDowell, New Zealand) 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement about the threat posed by nuclear weapons and the need for disarmament. It discusses the concerns of a small country, New Zealand, and its Prime Minister's views on the issue. The text does not mention economic development, natural resources, agriculture, industry, transport, communication, international trade, health, education, employment, humanitarian aid, or culture, but it does touch on science and technology (outer space) and has implications for humanitarian aid and relief.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology