AUSTRALIA'S NO MAN’S LAND

Evening Star, Issue 18044, 11 August 1922, Page 6

AUSTRALIA'S NO MAN’S LAND

TYRANNY OF EXTREMISTS. AN ASTONISHED ADMINISTRATOR TASK FOR QUALIFIED SCIENTISTS. A realisation that his lines wore not to bo laid in pleasant places very early dawned on the Administrator of the Northern Territory (Mr Urquhart), whose first report—for the year ended 30th June, 1921—has just been presented to Parliament. Accustomed as he was to tho well-ordered processes of a State public service in Queensland, the position ho found in the service at Darwin was astonishing, not to say dismaying. Tiro service was permeated with doctrines of extremist unionism, vigorously inculcated by tho local union leaders, and enforced by every subtle tyrannical device that their none too scrupulous minds could conceive, until the more or less depressed and bewildered Civil servants arrived at a stage whore they seemed to doubt to whom their first allegiance was really duo—to their country as represented by the Government who employed them, or to the incident terrorists who, in the much-abused name of unionism, and without much let or hindrance from higher authorities, arrogantly claimed a right of control over them. The pernicious practice of coming in files direct to the Administration without reference to heads of departments, was giving rise to confusion and inefficiency. He took action to deal with those conditions, which had now almost entirely ceased.

Socially tho Darwin community was as a house divided against itself. On tho one hand, were extremists who talked of Soviets and kindred nonsence, and on tho other wove the , few who struggled and protested against the blatant and shameless tyranny exercised by extremists. Tims tho house of Danviu’s and the Northern Territory’s prosperity fell upon evil days. Production stopped, industry ceased, shipping disappeared, no capital came in to the territory, and unemployment immediately presented an ugly problem; yet wages wore high, the, cost of living was not excessive, every concession demanded by the union seemed to have been readily .accorded by tlio employers, while goslow and job control wore in full operation. He came to tho conclusion that by means of grossly exaggerate*! rhetoric and unscrupulous propaganda, the extremist loader had created popular discontent. He had seen and heard enough to lead him to the opinion that this propaganda was subversive of all that was best in Australian life.

Olio grievance might be considered ns genuine, and that was taxation without parliamentary representation. Once the Territory got parliamentary representation indications were that the bitter feelings would have lost their chief ostensible reason, and would probably bo considerably modified, The economic and industrial position was one of suspended 'animation. Business was very depressed, trie trade in general morciiandi.se having fallen largely into the hand., of Chinese, who, by reason of cheap labor, were enabled to compete at an advantage with Australian merchants. Mining, owing to high wages, high cost of transit, and continued depression, was at a very low ebb. Tho fisheries industry was practically stagnant. Agriculture was negligible, and had received a set-back by citrous canker. The pastoral industry was passing through a phase of depression. While Vestey’s works wore closed down the, herds were increasing, and tho placing of sub-artesian bores on the stock routes tended to overcome the difficulty of providing water supply for the stock.

The people of the Territory had faith in its potentialities, and awaited with patience and confidence tire day of their justification. Such people deserved all practical sympathy and assistance. Few things could bo better than action calculated to inspire confidence in investors. Existing official reports and bulletins on tho Territory were not quite what was wanted to bring about the desired result. Examination and appraisement of the potentialities of the Territory was work for scientists of acknowledged eminence, more especially in regard to mining and agriculture. Tho dormant mineral wealth of the Territory was very great. It seemed reasonable to suppose that if Arnheim’s Land and other portions said to possess evidence of great mineral wealth were reported upon by acknowledged exports investors would be found without difficult to undertake their exploitation. Timber resources were deserving of attention, and the iron wood and cypress pines were immune from tho attacks of white ants.

As to white labor, ho was sure that south of the 15th parallel there was no question to debate, and that white menfc who were willing to do so might work without detriment from the climatic conditions. North of that lino conditions wore more severe, but not dangerous to men of good constitutions and temperate habits. With regard to white women in the northern portion of the Territory, the verdict must bo loss favorable, though improved housing, bettor dietary and railway facilities might go fur to lessen the disabilities. Children did very well up to eight or nine years of age, when a change of climate seemed desirable. Without railway extension settlement must languish, and development stagnate. With it there would probably come sufficient population to provide' labor. Increasing leprosy among aboriginals was causing concern.

PUT AND TAKE COMPETITION RESULT. The Adjudicators have made the following AWARDS in the ‘HOW CAN I DO GOOD?" COMPETITION First, £4O: F. C. Brookie, Parawamu, Bulls—“ Conscientiously Carrying Out Christian Convictions.” Second, £5: M. N. _S. Sievwright, Box 120, Gisborne—“ Sowing Seeds for Future's Harvesting.” Third, £3: Miss R. Rodgers, 142 Tasman street, Wellington— 11 Perseverance in Everything Worth While.” Fourth, £2: Mrs M, J. M'Artney, 27 Qloana street, Wanganui East —“ Salting Another's Stew of Life.” Ten at 10sRoy Shannon, Waituna West, Feilding; _ Miss B. S. Park, Grendon street, Maori Hill, Dunedin ; J. A. Roaswaxne, 17 Raffles street, Napier; Mrs J. MTherson, Dashwood street, Blenheim; E. A. Shaw. Taylomlle ; Miss R. Batchelor;, Waituna 'West; N, J. Adamson, Box .82, Wanganui; Mina Murphy, 273 Aberdeen road, Gisborne; W. .Tones, Portal street, Durlo Hill; J. C. Meyer, 77 Wicksteed street, Wanganui.