CONTINUATION OF BOMB TESTS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28890, 9 May 1959, Page 4

CONTINUATION OF BOMB TESTS

Warning By Former D.S.I.R. Head

(New Zealand Frees Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, May 7.

Adding his voice to recent warnings by prominent scientists in various parts of the world, the former secretary of New Zealand’s Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Sir Ernest Marsden, spoke today of the consequences of continued bomb tests. “The time has come for an absolute standstill on such atomic explosions to give time for a proper assessment of the damage already done to us and to our children even yet unborn,’’ Sir Ernest Marsden said in an interview at Wellington. There was no doubt about the harmful effects, even if small, on all the peoples of the world. Discussing the effects of the United States H-bomb tests above Johnston Island in the Pacific last August,' Sir Ernest Marsden said it was time such indiscriminate tests were stopped. In the last 12 months there had been a very large worldwide increase in fallout of radioactive materials. This, Sir Ernest Marsden pointed out, was distinct from the big effect on radio communications of the Johnston Island tests and other consequences fully as important.

The main increase In fallout had followed the Russian tests 12 months ago, just before the initiation of the talks on agreement to limit such tests to scientifically desirable ones under international control. The increased effect had been readily measurable in all foodstuffs grown in all countries. Sir Ernest Marsden pointed out that neither the Russians nor the Americans had alerted scientists in other countries regarding the tests and only a fraction of useful information had been obtained.

The tests had not been asked for by real, knowledgeable scientific workers. “In fact,” said Sir Ernest Marsden, z "overwhelmingly, such workers have signed petitions to their Governments warning them of the dangers and risks, because we have yet no proved antidote to the harmful effect of radiation.”

Even if discovered, it was not likely that any such amelioration would be practically applicable for several years. He was not making any point against proper development of atomic power, or the use of radio isotopes in industry. The effects of these were under control and were less than the harmful effects of fumes from coal or oil firing and certain other industrial chemicals.

LAOTIAN EXPERTS VISITING N.Z.

Studying Agriculture Under Colombo Plan

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 7. Three Laotian agricultural experts arrived at Whenuapai this afternoon for a three weeks’ tour of New Zealand under the Colombo Plan.

They are Messrs Nouphat Chounramany, former Secretary of State for Agriculture and a member of Parliament; Thao Vong, assistant to the Minister of Agriculture; and Saysming Boutah, director of the Livestock Division of the Laotian Department of Agriculture.

They leave for Wellington tomorrow, and will visit Massey and Lincoln colleges, the Ruakura and Wallacevllle research stations, and farms.