NO MONEY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 125, 30 May 1930, Page 10

NO MONEY

ECLIPSE EXPEDITION

ARRANGEMENTS CANCELLED

Interviewed to-day regarding the possibility of the Government financing a New Zealand expedition to make observations of the total solar eclipse, visible at Niuafou in September of the present year, the Prime Minister (the Hon. G. W. Forbes) stated that the matter had been very carefully considered by Cabinet, but it had been decided that, _ in view of tho altered financial situation, the Government could not.'undertake to finance such an expedition. It had been anticipated that such an expedition would be arranged, and with this in view, certain instruments had been borrowed from England. In the meantime, however, it had been ascertained that a United States expedition, of a numerical strength of twenty persons, was to proceed to Niuafou, taking with it considerably superior equipment to that which would have been at the disposal of the New Zealand party; so that the value to thr world of tho Now Zealand observations probably would have been overshadowed by tho value of those made by the larger eclipse expedition.

It had been estimated that the cost of the New Zealand expedition would have been £1000, and, in the circumstances, it was regretted that the Government could not see its way to finance it, particularly as assistance was being given to tho Mawson Discovery expedition to the South. ■; -

One line of work''in connection with the eclipse will, however'! be carried out, the Radio Research Committee, in conjunction with Mr. Gibbs, Chief Telegraph Engineer, having arranged for observations 01. the transmission of radio signals across and along the path of the eclipje, observations which may well throw light on some of the interesting problems of radio transmission.

It is pointed out by Dr. E. Marsden, Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, that Cabinet's decision not to finance the eclipse expedition will not prevent private enterprise from furthering the project. Should members jof the New Zealand Astronomical Society or others interested desire to proceed with arrangements already tentatively made, every facility would be accorded them'which was in the power of the Department to grant. ' .

The whole question will come up for consideration at next, Thursday's meeting of the Council-of the New Zealaud Astronomical Society. Members are quite hopeful that some way will be found to overcome the financial hurdle in order that Now Zealand may carry out the programme entrusted to them b. tho British 'Permanent Eclipse Committee.