MURDERED ABORIGINALS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1927, Page 2

MURDERED ABORIGINALS

(Australi.../ & N.Z. Cable Associat‘."j

SYDNEY, Xov. 24. 'l'lie Australian Board of .Missions at a public meeting at Chapter House discussed the illegal murder of aboriginals in and around Forest River mission in 192(i, and declared that the question was one which involved the reputation of the Australian people throughout the world. The meeting then unanimously carried a minute which was despatched to the Premier of West Australia, pointing out that serious reflections were cast upon the public honour by the retention as officers, of those persons against whom an indictment was made hv the Commissioner, who investigated the alleged murders. The minute added that the circumstances had been widely commented upon in the Empire and far beyond its bounds. The national character of the Australian people was brought to the bar of judgment of the civilised world and that judgment was hound to be given with regard to the action taken upon the findings of the Commissioner. They then quoted the statement by the Commissioner that four aborigines met their death and were burned near Dala about the end of June while in custody of two constables. and that the only persons responsible for their deaths were two constables. It then continues that the fact that a verdict of murder could not he found in a court of law, does not lessen the gravity of the finding, and there is a serious reflection upon public honour by the fact that the persons against whom such an indictment was made, are still retained in the service of the State as officers for the maintenance of law and order.

Reverend Cribble, addressing the meeting, stated forty-two natives had lost their lives in that Australian police expedition, and five of them were women. He added that Tie knew tlie spot where 22 men and women were shot on a chain after being in captivity for two days. He concluded—neither the church nor the State is doing its duty in this matter,