ACROSS DESERT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17525, 30 April 1925, Page 8

ACROSS DESERT.

I NORTH AUSTRALIAN EXPEDITION. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received April 30. 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, April 29. Mr Michael Jerry, the explorer, and his colleagues Mr IL A. .Prescott, a lopogra phical survey expert and Mr M. Redknap cinematographer were the i guests at a luncheon given by the Guy Motors who are providing the cars for the expedition from Poll Darwin to Perth. The chairman, Mr Sydney Guy, proposed the toast of tiie expedition. Ho el-lid it was an ali-Urii ixfi project, and would traverse 3000 miles of which 500 would be across unknown territory. He hoped it would discover gold and oil. Mr Terry, responding, emphasised the difference between what the geography book teaches about North Australia and the conditions as they are actually found. The so-called desert had proved so elusive that lie had determined to find it or put it ofF the map. Altogether this was a propaganda expedition, with the object of showing what North Australia really was. He was confident it would prove a. fertile country capable of raising a white population. There were, other countries near at hand that could make greater use of ii. and Australia had to get a move on. In addition to Messrs Prescott and .Redknap, an English member of the House ol Commons will accompany the expedition, and two others would he picked up in Australia. Two caterpillar ears and a motorcycle would go with tlie expedition. Afr Cole batch welcomed the* expedition, which he said would resuit in Hie ’removal of a. good many wrong iinr>cessions. He hoped it WTuld protide more rapid find cheaper transport for developing the unoccupied north.