EMPTY SPACES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 50, 27 January 1938, Page 10

EMPTY SPACES.

It has been a common accusation against the Federal Government in recent years that it has adopted a dog-in-the-manger attitude regarding the Northern Territory of Australia —it will neither develop it nor allow others to do so. Others, in this case, mean of course Asiatics and Far Eastern nationals. The Japanese have caused some concern in the northern part of the continent by the activities of their pearling luggers in prohibited waters and these have led to misgivings, and talk of the yellow man seeking to force his hold where the white man has failed. In short, it is freely asserted that Japan, in her need for expansion, has covetous eyes on the empty spaces of the Territory. It is unfair that cognisance is not taken, in some of the criticism, of the fact that ambitious development schemes have already been tried in this area and have failed. For instance, overseas meat companies, with liberal financial resources, have tried out the raising of beef cattle there and have had to abandon their plans, albeit their capital was such as to enable them to carry on for a considerable period at a loss in order to thoroughly test the possibilities. Toward the end of last year a report was presented to the Federal Government by the chairman'of the Queensland Land Administration Board and an experienced grazier who were appointed to enquire into conditions and prospects in the Territory. This showed conclusively that it would have been impossible to have established more than perhaps 30,000 people in the Territory in the 26 years since the Commonwealth took over the area from South Australia. They made several recommendations for settlement, including the suspension of tariffs, Darwin to become a free port, the abolition for 20 years of income tax, and so on, within the Territory. Railway construction and the provision of other works to serve the pastoralist were recommended. Whether it is possible to achieve reasonably close settlement of the Territory, or even general occupation by private individuals and companies, is a moot point, but it is significant that the report. mentioned above has not been pigeonholed as so many similar documents have been. Not only are the Federal Premier and his colleagues and departmental heads most concerned with the Territory to make a personal investigation of it, but steps are m train to strengthen the Government patrol on the northern coast. At present the only vessel safeguarding the Commonwealth s interests there -is a small ship dealing, sometimes inadequately, with Japanese luggers. This force, if such it can be called, is to be strengthened. Whatever may be the outcome of the Government’s investigation, it is certain that a great deal more attention will be paid in official quarters to the Northern Territory in the future.