‘Atoms for Peace'

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32706, 8 September 1971, Page 17

‘Atoms for Peace '

<N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) GENEVA, Sept. 7. Canada has given a warning that China may soon be a nuclear power to be reckoned with, and has pledged that she will do all she can to ensure that Peking participates in future world conferences on atomic energy.

The Canadian Foreign Minister (Mr Mitchell Sharp) told the United Nations “Atoms for Peace” conference in Geneva, which is being attended by about 40QP delegates from 72 countries, that he accepted the assurances by the Chinese Prime Minister (Mr Chou) that Chinese intentions were peaceful, but he added: “I am sure we will all be happier when the representatives of that ancient civilisation and powerful modern State are taking part in our

deliberations, rather than observing them in silence.” China is not represented at die- 'Geneva gathering—-the fourth United Nations inters national conference on the peaceful uses of atomic energy—because her government is not a member of die world body. China’s place is filled by a delegation from the Government of. Taiwan.

A, leading United States scientist, Dr Glenn Seaborg, predicted at the .opening session of the 10-day conference that nuclear-propelled rockets would carry then to Mars and instruments to Jupiter by the end of this century. than of the'.: United .States Atomic Energy Commission, said that energy production from fusion would. almost certainly be achieved by 1980 but that the use of fusion as a practical and: economic source of power was unlikely to be possible before the end of the century. The introduction of eco-

nomic breeder-reactors—pro-ducing more nuclear fuel than they consume—is one Of the biggest remaining tasks facing the nuclear power industry; but it should be possible to develop these commercially by the middle of the next decade,” he said.

Other ' developments envisaged by Dr Seaborg included artificial hearts powered by radio-isotopes; good preservation, through irradiation on, a widespread commercial basis; tankers and merchant ships driven by nui clear power; and widespread

peaceful use of -nuclear explosives for building harbours, canals and reservoirs. Dr Seaborg is leading a strong American delegation of 300 members, who include Dr James Schlesinger, hfs successor as A.E.C. chairman earlier this year.

The Soviet Union delegation is about the same size, and, like the American contingent, it includes a large number of representatives hoping to sell nuclear plant or processes.