Australia Intensifies Search For Uranium

Northern Advocate, 13 January 1948, Page 5

Australia Intensifies Search For Uranium

CANBERRA, Tue. (11 a.m.;—Ministers decline to comment on vital defence decisions reached by Cabinet last night. It is understood that the decisions follow exploration of Australia’s defence situation made by the Prime Minister (Mr Chifley) with heads of service departments in Melbourne last week.

A Cabinet committee to study the implications of atomic warfare will comprise Mr Chifley, the Minister of Defence . (Mr Dedman), the Post-master-General (Senator Cameron), the Minister of the Interior (Mr Johnson), and the Minister of Works (Mr Lemmon).

It will review the whole question of Australia’s defence in the light of atomic and other warfare developments, and advise the Government on precautions to be taken. REWARDS OFFERED The committee will examine a confidential analysis of the effects of atomic bombs, recently sent to the Australian Government by the British Ministry of Works. The analysis also deals with damage caused by flying bombs and rocket projectiles. The Government will pay £IOOO for the discovery of any new uranium deposit of economic significance and £2OOO for any discovery capable of producing 25 tons of uranium oxide. Rewards will be increased for the discovery' of greater deposits. SCIENTISTS WANTED The Government’s keen decision to intensify the search for uranium resources is indicated in a further decision giving the Minister power to make payments on his own initiative (for discoveries of no direct importance, if they may lead to the discov--ery of other significant deposits. The Department of Supply and Shipping is at present seeking scientists, many of whom will take part in a search of all Australian territories, including New Guinea and the Antarctic. .