NORTH AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18370, 1 May 1925, Page 9

NORTH AUSTRALIA

BARREN" OR FERTILE?

MISSION OF EXPEDITION

(by cable tress association"—rorvniGHT.) (AUSTRALIA* A.fD X.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

LONDON, April 29.

Mr Michael Terry and his colleagues, Mr R. A. Prescott, a .topographical survey expert, and Mr M. Redknap, cincmatographer, were the guests at a luncheon given by the Guy Motors, who arc providing cars for the expedition from Port Darwin to Perth.

The chairman, Mr Sydney Guy, pro posed the toast of "The Expedition." He said it was an all-British project, and would traverse 3000 miles, of which 500 would be across unknown territory. He hoped it would discover gold and oil. Mr Terry, in responding, emphasised the difference between what the geography book teaches about North Australia and the conditions actually found. The so-called deseTt had proved so elusive that he 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 which could make greater use of it, and Australia had to get a move on. In addition to Messrs Prescott and Kedknap, another Englishman would accompany the expedition, and two others would be picked up in Australia. Two cater, pillar cars and a motor-cycle would go with the expedition.

The Hon. H. P. Colebatch, Agent-Gen-eral for West Australia, welcomed the expedition, which would result in the removal of a good many wrong impress sions. He hoped it would provide for more rapid and cheaper transport for developing the unoccupied north.