RADIATION ON ATOM SHIPS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29367, 21 November 1960, Page 12

RADIATION ON ATOM SHIPS

“Crew, Passengers Can Be Shielded” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) TAORMINA (Sicily), Nov. 18. A British nuclear expert said today that the crew and passengers on a nuclear-powered ship can be effectively screened from the radioactivity of its engines. Mr Y. C. Brown, of the British Atomic Energy Authority, addressing experts from 19 nations gathered at Taormina for a symposium on nuclear-powered merchant ships, said that while some basic criterions on radiation have been universally accepted, it would be well to heed the estimates of the International Radioactive Commission on the maximum dose of radioactivity that can be absorbed without damage. He reported that all crewmen on a nuclear-powered ship can be considered to be “workers in radiation.” for which the committee considers five rems annually as the maximum safe dose. Passengers on a nuclear-powered ship, he sa,d, must not be exnosed to a dose in excess of onehalf rem annually. Mr Brown said these limits impose no problems because nuclear machinery can be so effectively screened that an accumulation of a one-half rem dose would not be possible in a voyage of less than four months’ duration. Grocers’ Assistants’ Award Wage increases varying from 5s 6d to 14s a week for junior assistants. and 9s 4d a week for senior assistants have been granted in the new award for the New Zealand Retail Grocers’ Assistants’ Union (except Northern industrial districts, other than Gisborne) approved by the Court of Arbitration on November 15. Altered clauses in the award include the provision of increased allowances where an employee has to use his power-cycle, motorcycle or motor-car on the employer’s business. A sum of 5s a week is to be allowed where an employee uses his own bicycle at work. The minimum rates of wages for branch managers and assistants in charge of shops have been increased by 13s 2d where four assistants are employed and 14s 9d where five assistants are employed. The terms of the award will be retrospective to October 9 and will continue in force until May 15, 1962.