NORTH AUSTRALIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 308, 30 December 1933, Page 9

NORTH AUSTRALIA.

Huge Sum Available for Development. CHARTERED COMPANY SCHEME MELBOURNE, December 29. The- Commonwealth Government has received an offer from a powerful British financial group which is prepared to spend a huge' sum in developing a vast area in North-West Australia under a chartered company scheme. It is understood the company is prepared to undertake pastoral development on a large scale, and also to establish communities at Wyndham and in the hinterland. These would be employed in the export meat trade and pig raising. This is the first definite offer received since the Federal Government announced its policy of liberal tariff concessions and taxation remissions to chartered companies.

A big plan for the development of the Northern Territory in conjunction with the British Government was announced in July by the Australian Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons. It was stated that at leaet two chartered companies, one of which wae Vestey's, were prepared to begin extensive development schemes without delay. In return the Government was to guarantee a substantial tariff, taxation and other concessions for assistance in providing transport facilities. Mr. Lyons said that the scheme was to be regarded as • part of an Empire development plan to enable the Australian defences to be strengthened, and permit of the maintenance of the White Australia policy. The Federal Minister of the Interior, Mr. J. A. Perkins, subsequently stated that no company had actually approached the Government concerning a charter. Certain big interests in Melbourne were taking up the scheme if they could obtain concessions.