Wouldn't Take It as a Gift

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7212, 19 July 1933, Page 7

Wouldn't Take It as a Gift

Pastoralist’s Opinion Of Northern Australia

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received Tuesday, 9.45 p.m. MELBOURNE, July 18.

Mr. W. Oliver, a pastoralist with a wide knowledge of the Northern Territory, said that as much as he would like to see the territory adequately populated, he could see little prospect of its accomplishment. “I do not think any company such as tho Government suggests has any hope of developing the territory. Candidly, if I were offered tho wholo of North Australia for fifty years as a gift on condition I worked it, I would refuse it,” ho added. The opinion is expressed in Adelaide by men familiar with the territory that the area which could bo adapted to tho Government scheme is small. BUILDING OF NEW PORT ENVISAGED. SYDNEY, July 18. Senator Pearce, chairman of tho Federal Cabinet Sub-committee dealing with plans for the dovclopmont of North Australia, disclosed details of tho Government’s project. He emphasised that pastoral development rather than agricultural was the Government’s object, and indicated that the plans envisaged tho provision of cheaper transport means and oi a fleet of fast ships and the building of a new port at tho mouth of the McArthur river on the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Primo Minister (Mr, J. A. Lyons gave an assuranco that the rights of lessees in the Northern Territory would bo protested, adding that the lessees would probably co-ox>eratc with the chartered companies.

Mr. J. A. Perkins, Minister for the Interior, proposes to visit tho Northern Territory shortly to deal with the administration of the territory.