Australia’s Vacant Section

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7211, 18 July 1933, Page 7

Australia’s Vacant Section

Flood of Inquiries

A PROJECT OF IMPERIAL

IMPORTANCE

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Recoivcd Monday, 7.50 p.m. SYDNEY, July 17.

The Federal Minister for the Interior, Hon. J. A. Perkins, said to-day that since tho publication of the Government’s policy regarding tho development of Northern Territory, his correspondence had considerably increased. However, ho hastened to ox plain that no company had so far approached the Government concerning a charter, but bo was given to understand that qertain big interests here wero taking up the schomo if they could obtain concessions. He added that the schome already outlined was morely a basis for negotiations, the only unalterable clause being the maintenance of a white Australia. IMPORTANT IMPERIAL PROJECT LONDON, July 17. The Morning Post, commenting on the North Australia plan, says it is almost certain the British investor will have to find the bulk of the capital and the British Government’s duty will be to ensuro a response commensurate with so important an Imperial project. It must also be clear that the man-power to carry out the work should be drawn mainly from Britain. The Morning Post adds: “No more auspicious moment could be chosen. Markets are indeed temporarily dislocated through tho world depression, but that is no ground for discouragement. On the contrary, Empire investment and migration are matters of long-term planning and now, when the first signs of recovery aro beginning to appear, is just the time to look ahead and mako dispositions enabling the Empire to enjoy tho fullest share of prosperity coming.

INQUIRIES IN LONDON.

LONDON, July 16,

Rt. Hon. 8. M. Bruce, the Australian Resident Minister, is deluged with inquiries for details of Australia’s reported plan to develop tho Northern Territory on the Gulf of Carpentaria through the medium of chartered companies. The bulk of the Press seems to have jumped to the conclusion that companies are already being formed, probably confusing Mr J. A. Lyons’speech with the earlier South Australian project. The scheme ha 3 been tepidly received in the city, especially the extravagant Canborra reports mentioning that £200,000,000 capital will be involved. QUESTION OF PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT.

LONDON, July 16,

Lord Yestcy, the cold storage and shipping director, said he had heard nothing about tho suggested scheme to develop the Northern Territory by means of concessions to private companies. Ho did not care to express an opinion on the principle of developing the Territory by means of chartered companies.