THE NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1844, 2 September 1913, Page 3

THE NORTHERN TERRITORY.

LAND OF PROMISE. Professor Baldwin Spencer ; who spent 12 months specially investigating tho Northern Territory, is deeply impressed with its immense possibiltics. In tho first place, Professor Spencer is most emphatic on the point that it is a whte man's country,. Tho type of man and woman that he thinks is going to develop tho Territory for Australia are thoso who liavo tho pioneering instinct, and do not mind roughng it. Amid all his enthusasm, Professor Spencer realises that tho loneliness of tho life of a settler in these parts is sovero oh women and children, but ho thinks that difficulty not insurmountable.

At present tho country is being used only for pastoral purposes, and while Professor Spencer does not set himself up as an authority on such matters,, ho thinks that much of the laud will soon bo put to use for agricultural, or, at nil events, mixed fanning, purposes. In his view, the splendid system of inland rive.'s in tho Territory will form a big factor in its successful development.' There rvers aro wido and deep, and will form means of cheap transport. Tho alligators, ho adds, which are found 'in thorn , wil soon disappear before the advance of'settlement, as in Queensland;. ' Tho water ways teem with fish. .The fact that tliore is not a gun mounted for the defence of this part of Australia .appeals to Professor Spencer why a special effort should be mado.to plant a white population there. Railways and roads aro wanted to' assist in tho work of development, and he is convinced that with tho right class of hardy' pioneer the Territory will furnish homes for a prosperous community.