THE NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16726, 8 January 1920, Page 7

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY.

1 MORE INTERESTING EVIDENCE. (By Cabl«—Press Association —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) POUT DAIIWIN, January 6. Before tho Commission, Mr Barrett asked Mr Curoy: Did not Dr. Gilruth try to buy tho Northern Territory for a private company, for £4,000,000 or £3,000,000? Mr Carey replied: No; he asked tho Government if it would sell tho Territory to a chartered company. "Witness believed that ono of tho essential joints in tho proposed company was that only white labour should be employed Witness further stated that Dr. Gilruth and tho other officials wero fairly popular in tho Territory. He considered that tho later change of feeling was largely duo to industrial reasons. Witness said ho left Port Darwin, fearing personal violence from tho Bolshuvik Russians and other undesirable extremists. He denied that Dr. Gilruth mado a practico of sending round a black list of peoplo who had offended th© Administration, in order that theso peoplo should bo debarred from all Governmont employment. Mr Carey was questioned as to why lie left tho Administration to join Vesteys, and then rejoined tho Administration, nnd if Ih". Gilruth was anxious to pet him to rejoin in order to covor up Dr. Gilruth's tracks. Mr Carey replied: "You are wrong." All he knew was that Dr. Gilruth know he desired reappointment. Replying to Mr Justico Swing's enquiry as to who wanted to buy the •Northern Territory, Mr Carey said: "I do not know. I know that in 1913 the Administrator asked Ijord Forrest if the Commonwealth Government wanted to soli the Territory. Lord Forrest asked what prico was offered, and Dr. Gilruth replied: 'Between £4,000,000 and £6,000.000.' WJion asked who was the btiver, Dr. Gilruth replied that that was his business, but it was a chnrtered company, which would comply with the White Australia policy."