Peaceful Uses Of Atomic Energy

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27698, 30 June 1955, Page 12

Peaceful Uses Of Atomic Energy

The Government has chosen wisely and well the delegation to represent New Zealand at the international conference on peaceful uses of atomic energy to be held at Geneva, beginning on August 8. The Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (Dr. Hamilton) will lead the-delegation. The key part atomic energy is expected to play in generation of electricity; is recognised by the appointment of the Chief Engineer of the State i Hydro-electric Department (Mr! Latta) and a project engineer of the Ministry of Works (Mr Ritchie). Two physicists occupying senior positions in New Zealand university colleges will complete the delegation. The conference has been organised' iby the United Nations, and careful: preparations have been made to ! ensure its success. Invitations have been sent to 84 countries. Each will ibe limited to five representatives, jbut these may be accompanied by j advisers. Obviously, only a few delegations will be directly concerned with giving information—the delegations of the United States, Russia, Britain, Canada, and France. The degree of success the conference achieves will depend largely upon ' the governments of these five countries. Though it remains to be seen how much information they will give, there are indications that all are prepared to give far more than any of them has yet done. The

Russian Government has announced that it will contribute technical and scientific information obtained from its 5000-kilowatt atomic power plant, which has been operating since last June. The United States has said that it will build and operate a reactor that will use the kind of fuel which the United States intends to make available in limited quantities to other countries (“fuel “ grade uranium enriched in isotope “ 235 to about 20 per cent.”). Though the British and Canadian contributions are not yet known, both countries may be expected to contribute usefully, because, apart from other considerations, the conference is expected to mark the first peaceful skirmishes among the great industrial nations in the future

struggle for overseas markets for reactors and by-products. Within the limits imposed by security, much information ean undoubtedly be given by the leading atomic Powers, which will enable " learner ”

countries to gauge the potentialities I of atomic power for their own needs, i It is certainly to New Zealand’s advantage to be represented at this conference by a thoroughly competent and well-balanced delegation. Atomic ptjwer for generating electricity will certainly be wanted in the No|£h Island by 1970; and in terms of planning for electric power, 15 years is not a long time ahead. Apart from the certainty that something will be learned at the conference of great benefit to New Zealand, this country will benefit from participation in what everyone hopes will be a co-operative exchange of information, which will break down many barriers among nations, and which will advance the practical use of a new form of energy for the benefit of mankind.