DEFENCE DECISIONS IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25391, 14 January 1948, Page 7

DEFENCE DECISIONS IN AUSTRALIA

Preparations To Meet New Weapons (N.Z.P.A.—Reuter—Copyright)

CANBERRA, January 13. Matters vital to the defence of Australia were discussed by the Federal Cabinet yesterday. The Cabinet made several important decisions intended to prepare Australia to play her full part in meeting any future emergency. The decisions included:— (1) The appointment of a specialists’ committee to advise the Government on future home defence measures in the light of Allied experiences with atomic bombs and rocket projectiles. (2) Offers of rewards totalling £3OOO for the discovery of new deposits of uranium and other ores suitable for use in the production of atomic energy. (3) The continuation of Commonwealth control of the mica industry, and assistance to the industry by the provision of machinery to produce, mica for defence purposes. (4) Expansion of the shipbuilding industry for the construction of four additional B class motor vessels and two additional C class motor vessels. (5) An intensive investigation into the production of synthetic fuels within Australia from Australian sources. Ministers decline to comment on the decisions reached by Cabinet last night. It is understood that the decisions follow the exploration of Australia’s defence situation made by the Prime Minister (Mr Chifley) with the heads

of the service departments in Melbourne last week. The Cabinet committee to study the implications of atomic warfare will comprise Mr Chifley, the Minister of Defence (Mr J. J. Dedman), the Poat-master-General (Senator D. Cameron), the Minister of the Interior (Mr H. V. Johnson), and the Minister of Works (Mr N. Lemmon). It will review the whole question of Australia's defence in the light of atomic and other warfare developments and advise the Government on precautions to be taken. The committee will examine a confidential analysis of the effects of atomic bombs recently sent to the Australian Government by the British Ministry of Works. The analysis also deals with the damage caused by flying bombs and rocket projectiles. The Government will pay £lOOO for the discovery of any new uranium deposit of economic significance, and £2OOO for any discovery capable of producing 25 tons of uranium oxide. The rewards will be increased for the discovery of greater deposits. The Government’s decision to intensify the search for uranium resources is indicated in a further decision giving the Minister pov.’er to make payments on his own initiative for discoveries of no direct importance if they may lead to the discovery of other significant deposits. The Department of Supply and Shipping is at present seeking 78 scientists, many of whom will take part in a search of all the Australian territories, including New Guinea and the Antarctic.