BRITISH PARTY EXPECTED

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27470, 2 October 1954, Page 8

BRITISH PARTY EXPECTED

DISCUSSIONS WITH GOVERNMENT

(Special Correspondent NZ.P.A.) LONDON, September 30. It is understood that representatives of the British Atomic Energy Authority will visit New Zealand before the end of this year to discuss with the Government plans for the production of heavy water by the joint company, the formation of which was announced in the House of Representatives. It is believed that neither the exact composition of the party, nor the date of its departure from Britain has yet been decided, but it is expected to include technicians. The science correspondent of “The Times,” commenting on the Wellington report that the British Atomic Energy Authority and the New Zealand Government are to form a company, says: “The Atomic Energy Authority has already at Harwell a small experimental nuclear reactor

using heavy water as a moderator in place of a graphite, and a fullscale reactor to use heavy water is being built. This will be employed in experimental work and for the production of radio isotopes. “It is also expected that further experimental types of reactor will be built, in which heavy water will be used, and that these may have applications in future atomic power stations. k “There is thus an adequate case for Mpterest apart from considerations based on defence. “From the point of view of New Zealand, the development of geothermal energy at Wairakei has the advantage that whereas sources of hydro-electric energy are most readily available in the South Island, most of New Zealand’s industry and population is in the North Island. “The capital costs are to be shared in the proportion of £4,000,000 from the United Kingdom and £2,000,000 from New Zealand.”