MOST CONDEMNATORY

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1920, Page 4

MOST CONDEMNATORY

NORTHERN territory enquiry. 'aUSTHAI.IAN & N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION] MELBOURNE, May 21. Mr Justice Ewing’s report on the Northern Territory enquiry, which has been tabled in the Senate, severely condemns the administration.

In the course of his report, Mr Justice Ewing says the cloud on the northern horizon, which to-day may not be bigger than a’ man’s band, if uncontrolled, will in future produce a deluge. Referring to the necessity of securing a barrier between the white arid coloured races, he declares that though wo eoiitrof the outposts fo the continent, the results so far attained may be rendered useless unless an intelligent attempt is made to populate the Northern Territory with contented citizens who will give true allegiance to Australia. Fie declares there are no more Bolsheviks amongst the population of the Territory than can be found in many parts of the Australian States. The Territory has been-governed in a way no other portion of the Commonwealth would tolerate for a moment. Dr Gilruth was temperamentally unfitted for the office he accepted. Judge Bevan had ceased to have the confidence of the people, in which they, to some exteirt, were justified. He found that Mr Carey had not been guilty of corruption, and there was no proof of any impropriety against Mr Evans. He urges the need of more police, and that whatever local control is. given to the Territory in future, it should provide similar government for all. Mr Poynton, in presenting the report, said on the evidence it would he undesirable to continue to employ the persons forced to leave the territory- or those whom the report adversely criticised.

Melbourne, May 20. Mr Justice Ewing’s report states it is beyond liis comprehension how, under the conditions in the Northern Territory, Government expected peace there, as the citizens were deprived of all political yights, but remained subject to a liability of paying taxes. If the same conditions had prevailed in Tasmania, one of the peaceful of States, it Would have resulted in rebellion. He could not blame the people of the Territory for the deportations, as their confidence in the Commonwealth was shaken to its foundations by the continued failure to ,remedy their wrongs by parliament, and those appoointed to govern them. Though lie placed a certain amount of responsibility .arid condemnation on Dr Gilruth and Messrs Bevan and. Carey, there Were some extenuating circumstances in Ur Gilruth’s general method of administration and conduct. One of the factors directly contributing to the unsatisfactory conditions of affairs was tho suspicion which arose in the minds of people that the adminstration was corrupt. He did not think such an extreme conclusion Was justified, but he regretted that he was forced to consider Dr Gilruth’s, conduct in some instances highly improper, and most unwise.

MANDATED TERRITORY

MELBOURNE, May 22

The report of the Commission of Administration of the former German territory considers the cost of Government will be £230,00!) annually. The report recommends £200,000 of this be raised by local taxation, principally import and export duties, and the of a Commonwealth subsidy of £30,000 annually, the subsidy later to be withdrawn, and the nationalisation of German properties, which will be carried, on by the Commonwealth. A majority report recommends the Government bo organised on lines of the present Papuan Government, With an administrator, executive and legislative council, at a cost, of £IOB,OOO yearly. It advises the imposition of a super-tax on the export of copra, and does not recommend the nationalisation of plantations, stating it Would involve a. capital Outlay of at least ££,500,000. It recommends a preferential territory tariff: first, in favour to Australia, the next of the Empire; and also, preferential Australian duties in favour of Papua and inundated territories. The report also Urges that liquidated German trading companies and assets consisting of town.blocks, be bold by Government and leased.