SETTLEMENT FLAN

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1933, Page 6

SETTLEMENT FLAN

ambitious westralian scheme

AT A COST OF SIX' MILLIONS.

(United Press Association —By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright.)

LONDON, July 25

The. “Morning Post"’ gives prominence to the first of a series of articles in which Sir James Connolly, the 'former .West Australian Minister and Agent-General, outlines an ambitious Plan for the settlement of The Kirnbierieys/ in the northern portion of ■Western Australia. It is a plan in conformity with the general condition, revealed recently .by. the Australian J Prime Minister, lit. Hon. J. A. Lyons. | This territaory, having a n area of 110 square miles, is described by Sir ijas. Connolly- as a “no man’s land, of infinite possibilities.” .Be says; “It Is equally as habitable as the southern wheat belt of Westralia. It is magnificently watered, is f*ee -fiom the ordinary tropical diseases, and large tracts of it grow fruit, vegetables, rubber, sugar cane, and cotton. There are also ninety million tons of pure iron ore there.” : Sir J- Connolly has sugested that the unalienated part of the area should be transferred to a national or a chartered company in absolute fee simple. The present lease holders ore mainly pastoralists, and they doubtless would ■'ho willing to forego their rights tor a reasonable compensation. ' Sir. J. .Connolly estimated that a railway there, which .is an essential preliminary, will cost four, and; a half millions,, while the estimated cost of the whole scheme for the first two years, including the railway, is estimated at six millions. The first step, he says, must be the formation of a strong board of directors with genius. . Such a company, given a fair opportunity, should he. able to develop within twelve years 'a scheme of colonisation that is capable of supporting half a million people in decent standards of comfort.: