NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Northern Advocate, 13 February 1912, Page 2

NORTHERN TERRITORY.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S LAND POLICY.

The general principles of the Federal Government's land policy in connection with the Northern Territory were indicated last week by the Mm- I ister for External Affairs (Mr Thomas). The policy has been embodied in an ordinance, which is now (says the "Argus") undergoing final revision at the hands of the Crown law authorities. There may be alterations in detail before the ordinance is promulgated, but the main principles have been settled. Only leasehold titles will be granted, and all the land will be divided into three classes — "pastoral," agricultural and farming,' and "city lands. These divisions, in turn, will be sub-classified in three grades, according to quality and situation. The Minister said recently that the leases would be for a very long period, and there would be reappraisements of rent values at stated periods. He would not indicate the precise particulars, but it is believed that the leases will be practically perpetual, wifti reappraisements every £0 years. A board will be appointed to classify the land, and fix the rents, and it will consist of the Director of Lands (chairman), the Director of Agriculture, and the Chief Surveyor. The Director of Lands (Mr Nielsen), who is new in America, is to be offered a salary of £800 a year. He will be subject to the Administrator. There is a provision in the new ordinance that the Minister may appoint a substitute to act, in the absence of either of the three meipbers of the board. If he can arrange Mr Thomas inteads to have a temporary substitute for Mr Nielsen, so that work in connection with the Territory land majr, proceed at once.

/The Minister has received advices from Port Darwin, stating that the director of Agriculture (Mr Clarke) end party have arrived there, and left for the experiment farm at Rumjungle by special train. Mr Clarke is accompanied by ten men. The Minister desired that a similar number should go along with Mr Ramsay, who is to establish a farm at Dalley River, but the Director has asked that, on account of the season, not more than four men should be sent up at present.