NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16676, 25 February 1920, Page 3

NORTHERN TERRITORY.

EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. MELBOURNE, Feb. 24. • At the Northern Territory inquiry Mr. Randolph Bedford, M.L.C., for Queensland, gave evidence that he met Dr. Gilruth in 1916. Dr. Gilruth said: “Yon arc attacking me in the newspapers.” Witness replied: “We have not started yet.” Dr. Gilruth heatedly exclaimed: “The Territory will be no good to the Commonwealth. I made an offer of £6,000,000 on behalf of a. syndicate to purchase it with tho object of leasing it and spending £10,000,000 on it.” , ,-AVitness replied: “You won't buy a country iive times the size of France for a peanut.” Dr. Gilruth said the statement was made in confidence, and he requested him not to publish it. Witness respected tho confidence till 1917 when bo saw a cable in a. Brisbane paper stating a company was beifig formed in England with a capital of £100,0Q0,000 to exploit the Dominions alter tho war. Thinking this might be connected with the Northern Territory, be made a declaration in Parliament in June, 1917. Replying to a query, Mr. Bedford stated Dr. Gilruth was very emphatic, and he was very much in earnest. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.