Weapons And Power Of The New Era

Chronicle (Levin), 18 March 1948, Page 2

Weapons And Power Of The New Era

A UCKLAND, . March 1 7. "By cooperation Ihe British Conimouwealtli of Nations could taekle researeh problems much more effectiYely, Haeh country's conditions and resources had to be fittcd into the gene'ral pla-n, " said Sir Ben Lockspeiser, chicf assistant to the British Ministry of Bupply. who arrived by air lTom Sydnev today. 11* ■ Was invited here bv the New Zoaland Govcniment to discuss aeranauticui matters and a policy which could be adapted to the Coinmonwealth plans, ".fet propulsion has come to stay, " Sir Ben stated. "' Ultimately all fighters of the Royal'Air Borce would liavo jet engines and bombers would, too, wheu fuel cOnsumption was improved.-. It is impossible to predict when jctpropelled. civil aireraft will be geuerally used. " . t Sir Ben. forecast that gas. turbinos would replace steam in mariue propulsion, in locoinotives and poVver stations, espeeially where thcre was littlte or uo coal. * "*■ " ~ - Asked about the use of atomic energy," Sir Ben said: "It is still a long way off. Forget it. Before it takcs over the fuel problem there is a lot of work to be done. Questioned oa guided missiles and rockets, Sir Ben said: "All I ean say is we are worlcing like niggers on theiii, but you had better keep off the subje.ct. It is all too seeret." Sir Ben left by air for Wellington,