N.D. 48

A Japanese mission may visit Australia to see  at first hand the extent of Australian energy resources.

.  The Minister for National Development (Mr Swartz)  said today he had made the suggestion in Tokyo when discussing  the concept of regional assessment of energy deposits and  needs.

Mr Swartz was speaking at Brisbane airport on his  return from the United States, Canada and Japan.,

Mr Swartz said he had had exploratory talks in the  three countries on the possibility of uranium enrichment  plants being constructed in the Pacific region.

He would report on them to the Federal Government.

Mr Swartz said the possession both of uranium and  vast deposits.of steaming coal had led to discussions in  recent times on the possibility of a uranium enrichment plant  being built in Australia.

A Japanese Atomic Industrial Forum report had  indicated that extraordinary efforts would be needed to  meet Japan's future energy needs.

Mr Swartz said the outstanding impression he had  gained in discussions with government,  industrial and commercial  leaders was the growing consciousness of Australia’s importance  in the Pacific community.

The consistently high level of talks in three  countries had been most gratifying and productive.

Mr Swartz also inspected plants using Australian  materials such as steel mills, aluminium smelters and paper  manufacturing plants.

Issued at Canberra, July 15th, 1971.

