ATOMIC RESEARCH IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26856, 8 October 1952, Page 7

ATOMIC RESEARCH IN AUSTRALIA

Establishment Being Considered (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) CANBERRA, October 7. The Prime Minister (Mr Menzies) has announced that the Commonwealth Government is considering setting up an establishment in Australia to carry out research into the industrial use of atomic energy. The establishment would pave the way for the eventual use of Australia’s own uranium resources for industrial purposes, which, many scientists believe, will be possible within 10 years. Fundamental nuclear research is being carried out in .Australian universities, but no organisation is doing specific work on the practical application of atomic energy. Mr Menzies was commenting on the statement by the professor of chemical engineering at the New South Wales University of Technology, Professor. J. P. Baxter, that Australia should insist on having a share in atomic development. Mr Menzies said: ‘‘Professor Baxter clearly has in mind that the full development of Australian uranium resources involves the determination of several questions of principle, among which are the production of known ores, the active prospecting and development of other deposits, the treatment of ores obtained, and research into possible industrial use of uranium. “All these matters have been for some time under consideration by the Cabihet committee and its advisers. I took the opportunity mysfelf during Sir John Cockcroft’s visit, to discuss each of them with him and, in particular, the possibilities of co-operation with the authorities and experts in the United Kingdom.”