NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 January 1920, Page 5

NORTHERN TERRITORY.

A REASON FOR DISCONTENT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Darwin, Jan. 8. In evidence before the Commission of Inquiry Mr. Calian, hotel supervisor, stated that dissatisfaction was due to the Administration being in favor of companies and against whites in favor of blacks. In a lesser degree it was caused by the endeavor made to purchase the territory. Indignation meetings were held frequently, but no satisfactory reply was ever received.

Witness added that Dr. J. A. Gilruth (formerly Administrator of the Territory) denied having any interest in the Daly mines and the Minister's statement to the representatives supported this. Asked if it was thought that the Gilruth policy was to introduce Latin races and that the presence of the foreign element was largely due to Dr. Gilruth, witness replied "Yes." Received Jan. 9, 9 p.m. Darwin, Jan 9.

At the Commission, Mr. Robert Toupein, Mayor of Darwin, answering questions regarding the foreign element in the town, said i|t was Dr. Gilruth's policy to introduce the Mediterranean races into the territory. During the 1918 riot, Dr. Gilruth's effigy was burned. Mr. Covacher, managing director for the Northern Agency, Limited, replying to a question as to the reason of his effort to get Dr. Gilruth a position where his 1 scientific abilities eould be utilised, said that he would always use his influence to secure the services of anyone whose abilities would prove use'ul to the country. He denied approaching Dr. Gilruth because he thought Dr. Gilruth would be pliable in his hands, and he added that the connection between Dr. Gilruth and Vestys was very slight.