The Darwin Inquiry.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 19, 6 January 1920, Page 5

The Darwin Inquiry.

UGLY INSINUATIONS AGAINST ADMINISTRATION. DECRYING THE TERRITORY. (Received 6, 9.0 a.m.) ‘ Darwin, Jan. 5. Before the Commission Carey was cross-examined at length regarding allegations that certain officers connected with the Aborigines Protection Department were got rid of in order to prevent the truth coming out regarding alleged illtreatment and debasement of aborigines. Carey denied this. He also denied insinuations that the only men wanted by the Gilruth administration were cringers and crawlers or that the Palmerston District Council was abolished because Gilruth could not manipulate it and another council with three Government members out of seven substituted. Evidence disclosed that expenditure on one Government demonstration farm was £31,000 and revenue therefrom £782. On other farm expenditure was £ll3O and revenue £96 spread over several years. The solicitor, Mr. Barrett, asserted that Dr. Gilruth did not desire agriculture to succeed in the Territory. He wanted to decry the White Australia policy and sell the Territory to a syndicate like the British South African Conwany. Carey admitted the Administration never had anyone on the demonstration farms who could demonstrate but lie denied that the policy was to show the Territory was no good for white men with a view to selling it to a meat company. —(A. and N.Z.)