The Prime Minister, Mr. Bruce, has made a the report supplied by Sir George Buchanan, the noted British Harbour expert,- who inspected the Northern Terri during a recent visit to Australi Sir George is evidently enamoured with Darwin, which is a first-class port. The report contains four interesting clauses, vis:
1.—The provision of up-to-date] shipping facilities at the port of Darwin.
2.—The provision of an adequate] water supply for the town of Darwin.
8.—The establishment suitable port at the MeArthur River for cargo vessels of at east 5,000 tons burthen—the port to be connected by rail with Anthony's Lagoon on the Barkly Tableland, 180 miles distant.
4—The possibility of the, establishment of a port in_ the north-western portion of West Australia, in order to develop this portion of the country, The initial expenditure for a wharf 1,200 feet long, with transit sheds, rail and road connexions, is estimated at £587,657 while a road for vehicular traffic from the wharf} to the town, which is essential, will cost £31,500. It is admitted' that the progress of the Territory will be necessarily slow, and that its mit depend for its upon the—pastoral As Australia has been settled in the first instance upon Pastoral development, and then by secondary industry, this stage her. progress is realized; and the ex-Minister for Home and Territories, Senator Pearce, commenced the drafting of a Bill which would enable the progress required to be made. The trouble is that, many large holdings, which at the moment are considered to be the cause for the present iniquitous position, are held by few individuals' whose leases will not terminate for another 42 years. During this period waiting—it is considered the cost of buying in the leases would be too great—tracks of country which jeould be. utilized for more! jeoncentrated pasture are lying idle. The Territory is not the only part} of Australia in this predicament be. cause South Australia, the State which controlled the Territory before the Federal parliament—took orerwsand is responsible for the present state of the lease heidi that area, is in
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.