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PROTECTION OF ABORIGINALS.
From JOHN EUSTACE BEWS, Point
Pearce Mission:—The tenacity with which
our Governments adhere to the old-time
aboriginal laws is really remarkable. The
aboriginal laws is really remarkable. The
deceptive policy miscalled "protection"
does not protect. Are we not unfortu
nate enough to be colored people without
having the finger of scorn pointed at us,
and to be always reminded that we are
under this unfortunate Act, and classed as
little children? There have been aborigi
nals who have nobly responded to our
Empire's call to arms. Many have made
the supreme sacrifice. Are these the class
of men who are always to be ignored as
worthless and prohibited persons? Might
I ask why are we on the electoral roll?
Persons eligible to vote cannot be classed
as little children. We are law-abiding
people, and fully realise that there are
reformative institutions for the uncon
trollable. We feel humiliated to know
that we are still looked upon as a servile,
cringing race of people. Should not this
Act be abolished, thereby allowing us to
become independent citizens?
From G. RANKINE, Helmsdale.— As
an aboriginal I agree with the views of
"Narunga Johnny," and trust the work
of the Aborigines' Protection League will
result in the creation of aboriginal States.
We are not welcome in white society, and
do not wish to encroach upon it, but
should be given the opportunity of living
our lives in a community of our own. We
then shall be able to show that we can
produce industrialists, scientists, poets,
musicians. &c. just the same as the white
man. For some time I have been care
fully examining the proposals of the
league, and find that for organisation the
aboriginals of Australia are divided into
two classes, class A mostly in Northern
and Central Australia, comprising; those
whose tribes are intact, and class B. com
prising those who, their tribes having been
broken up, have been forced to forsake
their form of civilisation, and acquire that
of the white man, and also including the
half-castes. These are mostly living in
the southern parts of Australia. There
should be no longer any delay in making
a beginning. Communities formed in
federal territory should be States, the
same as the other States, but starting in
a small way. Communities formed by
State Governments should be called ter
ritories, and much the same as Federal
States, as outlined in the Model Aborigi
nal State petition. Those for class B
could be much easier started, and there
is no reason why New South Wales,
South Australia, and Western Australia
should not take them in hand at once.
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