DARWIN SCANDALS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10525, 28 February 1920, Page 8

DARWIN SCANDALS

MR BEDFORD’S ACCOUNT EXAGGERATED.

By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright MELBOURNE, February 27. Before the Northern Territory Commission, B. J. Rigley, in his evidence, said that Dr Gilruth did. not say that he had made any offer to the Government for the sale of tho territory to a syndicate. Mr Randolph Bedford’s account of the interview seemed very incorrect and exaggerated. Giving evidence a few days ago, Mr Randolph Bedford, M.L.C, for Queensland, said he met Dr Gilruth in 1916. Dr Gilruth said: “You are attacking mo in tho newspapers." Witness replied: “Wo have not started yet.” Dr Gilruth heatedly exclaimed: “The Territory will bo no good to tho Commonwealth. I made an offer of five millions on behalf of a syndicate to purchase it, with the object of leasing it and spending ten millions on it.” Witness replied: “You won’t buy a country five times the size of Franco for a peanut.’’ Dr Gilruth said the statement was made in confidence, and requested him not to publish it. Witness respected the confidence til] 1917, when he read a cable in a Brisbane paper stating that a company was being formed in England with a capital of a hundred millions to exploit the Dominions after the war. Thinking this might be connected with the Northern Territory, ho made a declaration in Parliament in June, 1917. plying to a question, Mr Bedford stated that Dr Gilruth was very emphatic. Bo was very much in earnest.