DARWIN INQUIRY

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 121, 22 May 1920, Page 5

DARWIN INQUIRY

COMMISSION'S REPORT j DR. GILRUTH AS ADMINISTRATOR "TEMPERAMENTALLY UNFITTED." j (UNHID PHESS ASiOCIATWN,—C«PIM«UT.) MELBOURNE, 21st May. Mr. Justice Ewing's report on the Northern Territory inquiry has been tabled in the Senate, and severely condemns the administration. In the course of the report Mr. Justice Ewing says the cloud on the northern horizon, , which to-day may not be bigger than a. man's hand, if uncontrolled, will in future; produce a deluge. Referring, to the .necessity of securing a. barrier between the white and the coloured races, he .declares that though we control the outposts of the. Continent, the 'result* so far attained may be rendered useless, unless an intelligent attempt is made to populate the ■ Northern Territory with con, tented citizens, who will give true allegiance to Australia. He declares that there are no more Bolsheviks amongst the population ,ol the Territory than can. be found in ninny parts of the Australian States. The Territory had been governed in a, way no other portion of the Commonwealth ■ would tolerate for a moment. ' Dr. Gilruth was temperamentally unfitted for the office he accepted. Judge Bevan had ceased to have the confidence of trie people, in which they were to some extent justified. He found that H. E. Carey (Government Secretary in Dr. Gilruth's administration, and) later Director of the Territory) had not been guilty of corruption, and there was no proof of any impropriety against R. J. Evans (formerly Superintendent of Railways, and latei Government Secretary). He urge? the need of more police, and that whatever local control is given to the Territory in the future it should provide similar government for all. In the House oj Representatives Mr. A. Poynton (Minister of Home and Territories), in presenting Mr. Justice Swing's report on the administration of the Northern Teritory, said that on the evidence it would be undesirable to continue' to employ the persons who ha! been forced to' leave the territory or those whom. the report adversely criticised. . , • . ■ '