TROUBLE IN DARWIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17844, 27 July 1921, Page 8

TROUBLE IN DARWIN.

TRIALS OF AN ADMINISTRATOR CHARGED WITH ASSAULT. . [FROM OUS OWN CORBESI'ONDENT.] SYDNEY. July 19. There is in the Northern Territory a gang of industrial extremists, who are determined to cause all the trouble posjiiblei Their persistent agitation and strikes, and demands for higher wages, brought about the closing down o£ Vestey Brothers' meatworks. This was the on'.y industry in the place, and the only money now going is that which goes to pay the numerous administration offi»' .it 1 . Having closed up the meat works, u ne extremists turned to the administration, and the first campaign ended in the administrator and his two principal lieutenants being chased out of Daiwin. Matters hung fire for tv while, and then tho Commonwealth sent a very strong man. Mr. Urquhart, formerly a Queensland police official, as administrator at Darwin. < Tho gang met something solid iri the big policeman. He knew how to deal with this class of resident, and the first rounds were distinctly in his favour. The Bolshoviks decided not to interfere further in the actual work of administration. They took a new tack; they decided that, as they had no representative in Parliament they would pay no taxes. The administration had no mercy. The law worked ponderously, but inevitably, and to-day a considerable, number c,re in gaol, serving 28 days' sentences for refusal to pay income tax. They are, of course, being held up to Australia as martyrs, but Australia is not much interested. When a Minister was recently in Darwin, the administrator arranged a, garden party at which residents might meet him. A man stood outside the gates and handed each incomer a dodger scurriously attacking the administration. Mr. Urquhart thereupon went outside, found the man, and dealt with him as he deserved Then upon the administrator was sued for assault. 'The assault was proved—those who saw the man afterwards do not appear to hare had the slightest doubt about it— and damages were assessed at £1. The aggrieved man is now in gaol as a nontaxpayer. Tho Federal Government is standing firmly behind tho administrator, and, if he is given a fair chance, it is believed he will yet make the place too hot for the gang which has brought the Territory I almost to the point of ruin.