Mr. Ward’S Recent Oil
p. 36 · Read in the full issue
Furphy
WE published in the December PIM a statement by the then Australian Minister for Territories (Mr. Ward) to the effect that an excellent oil pros pect in New Guinea had been killed by big oil interests. Although Mr. Ward did not say so it was evident that he was making a reflection upon certain of the big com panies that are now carrying out boring operations in Papua.
The Sydney Bulletin, of December 21, deals with the story mercilessly. It says that this “Furphy” has been broadcast at intervals for many decades —ever since the search for oil commenced.
Mr. Ward produced no document of any tangible evidence to support his story—it was put into circulation simply to allow the Socialist member for East Sydney to “have a go” at the hated dollar interests.
The Bulletin pertinently asks whether the APC, which is spending enormous sums on the hiring of experts, and on boring operations in Papua, would de liberately overlook a prospect such as Mr. Ward described.