Mr. Ward's Visit

To Territories

Postponed For Present

THE visit to Papua and New Guinea of the Australian Minister for Ex ternal Territories, Mr. E. J. Ward, which had been arranged for “early in the New Year” has been postponed probably on account of the “Jock” Gar den timber leases development (see ar ticle on page 10.) It had been expected that Mr. Ward would leave Sydney about January 15; but we now are advised officially that “the Minister is not yet in a position to indicate when he is likely to visit the Territory, and his itinerary has not yet been settled.”

The charges which have been made against Mr. Garden will again come be fore a Sydney Court on January 21; and it is assumed from their character that Mr. Ward will be an important witness for the prosecution. Therefore, until that case has been disposed of, it is ap parent that Mr. Ward cannot make any plans involving his absence from Aus tralia.