AUSTRALIA'S CONCERN OVER ATOMIC DEFENCES

Grey River Argus, 21 January 1948, Page 5

AUSTRALIA'S CONCERN OVER ATOMIC DEFENCES

[ N.Z.P.A, —Reuter—Copyright.]

SYDNEY, January 15.

The possibility that the development of atomic bombs and directed missiles may entail a complete replanning of the main Australian citise and of growing industrial areas is said to be the most important matter for examination by the newly formed Cabinet committee on defence. Already in its formative stages is a vast and costly plan to protect industry and the centres of population from weapons of incredible power. Defence experts believe that even Canberra, with its modern design and spacious lay-out, would be demolished by one rocket bomb with an atomic warhead. Prominent in the committee’s first deliberations is a confidential analysis of the effects of atomic bombs, rocket projectiles, and guided missiles recently sent to the Australian Government by the British Ministry of Works. Experience has now shown that the only type of passive defence against the latest aerial weapons is dispersal on a scale difficult io imagine. The committee will consider the dispersal of all public utilities and key industries, coupled with the use of natural bontours to aid in protection from rays and blast effect. Town planners who have studied the effects of modern warfare suggest that public buildings in main cities may lie separated by hills to act as shields against atomic radiation, and that the future development of capitals and industrial centres may be governed by a long-range policy aWned at rhe creation of satellite towns built about scattered industries. Authorities Concerned

For some years the authorities have been perturbed because Australia—a country of great spaces—has two cities both well over 1,000,000 people, and because half of the total population of the Commonwealth, is concentrated in five main cities. Study of the effects of modern weapons has brought the conclusion that a change is imperative. The Cabinet committee will seek the advice and services of the Army Navy and Air Force chiefs of stair, officers of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, physicists from the Australian universities, experts on local government and town planning architects, and heads of industries. ■ _ A conference of all the State building authorities will be held as soon as possible to discuss building methods that would provide the greatest saleguard against atomic attack. Later the chiefs of staff will discuss the same subject and a specialist committee will advise the Government on civil defence. Though it is believed that the Cabinet’s action results from an exchange of notes with the British Goverjiment on the importance of Australia’s position and for Empire defence, Federal Ministers deny that there has been any hint from Britain that the international situation is deteriorating.