AUSTRALIA'S NEEDS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 865, 11 July 1910, Page 7

AUSTRALIA'S NEEDS.

"TIMES" GIVES ADYICE. LONDON VIEW OF LABOUR POLICY. THE OVERSHADOWING PROBLEM. Gy Telegraph—Prcsa Association—Copyright (Rec. July 10, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 9. "Tho Times," in an article discussing Australian affairs, says tho new Federal Ministry seems to have gained public confidence to an unusual degree. This is greatly duo, it considers, to Mr. Fisher and his colleagues having avoided the unusual things which their critics predicted of them. The proposed uniform Federal postal rates "Tho Times" looks upon as presumably a prelude to Imperial penny postage. Tho Government estimates of the cost of the canalisation of the Murray, Darling, and Murrumbidgeo Rivers are roseate, but the expenditure is only justified if it would provide- a scheme that would open, vast areas to irrigation.

There is, "Tho Times" continues, urgent need of a railway uniting West Australia with the rest of the Australian systems. The railway, however, must be built on a coherent plan and not to serve potty local needs:

Tho overshadowing Australian problems relates to the huge rich unpeopled Northern Territory. There is need for a rapid awakening of Australian opinion on this vital issue.

Australian politicians, "The Times" says, should realise that they are merely stewards for the rest of tho world. Their Primary duty is more effectively to occupy tho Australian territory.

If Mr. Fisher's Ministry carried the north and south, trans-Continental railways towards completion, it would amply deserve the confidence of tho people.