§ Sir J. NORTON-GRIFFITHSasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the formation of public companies in Australia for the development and closer settlement of the northern portion of that Continent; if so, whether any representations have been made to him by any State Government of Australia or by any of such companies for assistance in the matter under the Empire Settlement Act, 1922; or whether the letter, dated the 3rd July, 1922, from the vice-chairman of the Overseas Settlement Committee, and addressed to a member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia, stating that no assistance of settlers direct from this country could then be given, represents the views of the Government?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAs Chairman of the Overseas Settlement Committee, my attention has been invited to the possibility of co-operation, under the Empire Settlement Act, in schemes for the development of the Northern Territory of Australia. The Government accepts the view expressed in the letter, to which my hon. Friend refers, that it is best that migrants fresh from this country should settle in the more southern parts of Australia, and that 1567W settlement of the northern portions of the Continent should preferably be undertaken by persons already acclimatised to those parts of Australia which are furthest from the tropics.