Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Thursday 14 November 1912, page 11


THE TERRITORY.

FEDERAL POLICY CRITICISED.

PRAISE FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Melbourne, November 13.

In the House of Representatives to-day Mr. Poynton during the discussion of the Estimates of the department of the Minister of External Affairs', referred to

the development of the Northern Territory. He said the only way to develop the Territory was by railways. They were making a great mistake by trying to de-velop the country from the tropical end. The vast country of Central Australia was

well 'suited for agricultural and stock purposes,

and the MacDonnell Ranges country I was excellent for horse-breeding. Cereals j could also be grown with advantage. The | rainfall was good water supplies were much superior' to those on the railway

route from South to Western Australia, and there were great auriferous areas and I good chances of developing- them if the proper machinery could be got to them. The question of development must be decided by any Government in power.

Mr. K. W. Foster said he regretted that the Government had not come down to the

House with a policy for the Northern Ter-2 ritory. The Australian people, but particularly

those of South Australia, had been looking for a great development policy. The Commonwealth had had possession of the Northern Territory for over two years, and they had a right now to hear a comprehensive statement of policy by the Government. The Government, in their appointments, appeared to be avoiding competent and experienced men. He condemned development of the northern portion of the Territory. South Australia had boldly faced an enormous problem in the Northern Territory, and experience had taught them much. That experience was apparently being put entirely aside by the present Government, who were relying on men who had absolutely no experience of the Territory. As regarded the Railway Commission, he would advise its enlarge-ment, so as to gather information respect-ing the Territory's mining, pastoral, and other- resources. South Australia had a

large quantity of data available. He would recommend the appointment of such a man as Mr. H. Y. L. Brown, late Government Geologist of South Australia, to such a Commission. He advocated the adoption of piecework in the Territory.

Mr. Sampson objected to the system of government by ordinance.

Mr. Gordon said throughout the debate the Minister and some members had been asking, "What did South Australia do with the Territory?"

Mr. Mathews-Absolutely nothing.

Mr. Gordon said such an interjection showed that, the hon. member knew absolutely nothing about the question. South Australia, in a time of financial stress in the forties, cent Sturt to penetrate to Central Australia. Twenty years later Stuart, on' a third attempt, planted the flag on the shores of the Indian Ocean. Then followed the telegraph line, for which Australia should be grateful to South Australia. The State proceeded to carry a railway through the heart of the continent

and took it 700 miles" north and 150 miles south, leaving a gap of 1,000 miles, which, under the terms of the transfer contract, the Commonwealth was in honor bound to bridge. (Cheers.) South Australia also carried out important experiments at the Botanic Gardens at Darwin, and resisted strong pressure to open the door to colored labor. (Hear, hear. When the time came South Australia was able to transfer a white territory to the Commonwealth. (Cheers.) He urged the Minister to in-augurate a progressive policy, and be suggested that the name should be altered from the Northern Territory to Territorial. Centralia. or Kingsland. The solution of the problem of Territorial was transportation. Railways and water conservation were essential, and every effort should be made to keep the stock routes open. Afc

tention was being concentrated on Dar vin, and Central Australia was being overlooked.

He suggested that the Adminis- I trator and some officials should take up their residence at Alice Springs during the wet season in the tropics, when they

would not be fully occupied at Darwin. '. Central Australia was not a desert, and experience in South Australia, where the Wood desert was practically .*?»«"??£ off the

map, indicated that Centraba would one day carry its share of population.

The time limitation prevented Mr Gordon from further developing his argument in favor of railway extension,

Mr. Thomas complimented Mr. Gordon On his informing address, which was characterised by a broad national spirit. Mr. Gordon had lifted the debate out of party Cases. No other member of the House

such a knowledge of the conditions in and the resources of Central Australia, Mr. Thomas defended the administration of the department with great fervor, and quoted immigration statistics since the

Labour, Party were in power to show that the Government was a live one. During four years of the Liberal Party's rule, he said. 75,250 immigrants came to Australia, while in 22 years of Labor rule, 140,261 people arrived. (Laughter and dissent.)

Mr. Sampson-Do you take credit for

that

Mr. Thomas Certainly (Loud laugha ter.) He said he was willing to give tha States credit for bringing assisted immigrants. Mr.

Cook You are too generous.

Mr.. Groom-The land tax did that. (Laughter. ). --

The Minister-It helped. (Laughter)

The Commonwealth advertised the resources of Australia.

Mr. Sampson-In the "Labor Call." (Laughter.)

Mr. Livingston said South Australia was deserving of all credit for keeping the Northern Territory white. He urged the construction of the line from Oodnadatta to Pine Creek. He quoted a list of authorities who had reported on the Northern Territory, and he advised the Government to consult them. He suggested the compilation of all the information available and its publication in one book. Had the Territory been in America it would have been covered with railways and settled long ago. He ridiculed, the idea of inspecting the Territory in a motor

car.

The Minister said he did not object to extending the- Oodnadatta line, but thought the first" work should be done in the Territory itself and before the end of the year be hoped to see a quantity of land taken up in the Territory.

Mr. Wynne Urged an extension northward from the settled districts, as Canada had done successfully. It was a mistake to work southwards. j# " "

Mr. Archibald approved of Mr. Wynne's suggestion as judicious. and in accord with common-sense. He favored the idea of having a "staff at Alice Springs under a Resident, instead of depending entirely upon men stationed at Darwin. They were pledged to keep up a high standard of living, and could not employ cheap labor. Therefore they must utilise all the resources of science and the latest machinery. They could not hope to make a bye boom in, tropical produce, but-if opportunities were given for Settlement from the south their own young men would go northward, and a railway from the south was the first requirement.

Mr. Gordon urged members and the public to have more faith in the Northern Territory, which was in no sense a desert. In much of the land to which the? railway, should be extended northward from Oodnadatta there was plenty of artesian water. The same pessimism existed years ago in North America, and yet many railways endeavored unsuccessfully to carry the enormous produce of what was formerly called a desert, and which was now peopled by. millions. Central Australia offered limitless opportunities for settlement and production. Both Victoria and! South Australia knew what low production

meant. For 27 years the South Aus., tralian wheat average was in single figures., but now the position was changed, thus < showing that hope existed in the most desperate tärcaeiBtancea. They were brave, enough and rich enough to spend a few millions in giving the pioneers proper means of transportation. At present there were the same in the MacDonnell Ranges!

as in the time of Moses.

Mr. Hedges said he doubted the truth of the glowing description of the fertility' of the country north of Oodnadatta given! by Mr. Gordon. He suggested that the railway line between Hergott Springs and Oodnadatta be pulled up, and a line constructed to the Queensland border with that material, which would be sufficient. This

would link up with the Queensland railway ' ways, which again should be joined to Pine Creek through Camooweal j

On Wednesday afternoon, at the Oereaation B5**LiuÍ Oia?Se*roai* says. Mr. M. Walsh wife of the chairman at/Aiztctatt, listed on the first dome Idhi, wUcfa has been erected by Mr R

Fowler, under the. supermarine of Mr. G that.

loans, jaw Pateman Mrs. Weld was present

[with, a fairer «»íd-J-ox to fight up the vast