SAVAGE TRIBES

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1933, Page 6

SAVAGE TRIBES

IN THE WILDS OF AUSTRALIA TWO MISSIONERS OF PEACE

SYDNEY, November 21. Great interest has been aroused throughout Australia in the task undeitaken by two missionaries, who, unarmed, will endeavour to subdue the wild tribes of North Australia, who have been responsible for many murders in recent years. The victims include anumber of Japanese trepangers, who were speared to death about 18 months ago, and Constable McColl, of the territory Police Force, a member of the official party that had gone to make arrests.

Following the death of the constable the Federal authorities discussed the advisability of sending a strong armed force into the district, but there was an immediate protest from those engaged in mission work. The Church Mission Society then volunteered to organise a peace expedition, and the plans for this have gone forward on the distinct understanding that the Federal Government would accept no responsibility.

The leader of the so-called peace expedition will he the Rev hi. E. Warren, of Melbourne, who passed through Sydney this week on his way north. Une Sydney newspaper described him as “this week’s hero,” and it is certain that he will need all the courage at his command if lie is to succeed m subduing the wild men of the north —-men who know nothing of the white man’s ways, who care less, and who are strangers t.o fear.

Constable McColl’s Fate. According to the story that has been told, the Japanese offended against the social code of the natives, and they paid for their temerity with their lives. Then Constable McColl entered their area, and at the first opportunity he was struck to earth with a spear between his shoulder blades. It is said of the blacks that they recognise only one law, an eye. for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. They will be expecting visitors to avenge the death of Constable McColl and they will not take any risks.

Knowing exactly the conditions he will be called upon to face, Mr Warren will visit the natives of the Ralamumu tribe, at Cape Shield, unarmed. He has had a distinguished record of 20 years’ missionary work in the north, so it cannet be said that he knows nothing of the awful privations that must face his little party. He has been described as the kind of man who prays for guidance rather than for convenient miracles. His exact plans have not been made, for he realises better than most that he will have to make quick decisions on the spot, it is easy to imagine a..turn of events that would upset all early calculations. Love for a Good Beating On of Mr-' Warren’s companions," who will also .be radio operator for the expedition, is the Rev A. J. Dyer, of the Anglican Mission at Oenpelli. He is prepared to face the murderous Caledon Bay blacks armed only witn a toy sqeaker. “It is eight years since I worked among the Caledon Bay. blacks,’ lie said during an interview. “It is surprising how easy it is to turn those simple people from a purpose by appealing to their - sense of humour. Once I prevented two men from continuing a fight with spears by playfully slapping them with a piece of board. “When these savages do wrong the best way of dealing with them is to give them a good heating. They almost grow to love one afterwards, and respect the man who goes among them Mko a Mussolini. These Caledon Bay men, how ever, have been allowed to go on killing too long for such treatment. I do not see how we could administer a. belting if they rushed us with spears. In that event I would he prepared to go ashor e alone, leaving the others in the boat. If I do not succeed they can go back and report my failure. I have a toy tin squeaker, which I propose to play to the/ accompaniments of comic grins and gestures—what you would call ‘acting the goat.” Once I get them laughing their hostility will disappear. “One of the Joys of Life.” “Difficulties are one of the joys of life to me,” Mr Dyer said. “I am not a big man, and any blackfellow could throw me over his shoulders, but often I have faced savages who were menacing me with spears, and' have felt myself filled with the power of God. I have laughed death in the face, and I have escaped every time. I have often asked myself how I would react if put to the test, and I think that, rather than kill a man, I would die myself. Soidiers are prepared to fight and die for their country. I am prepared to follow the Lord.” Tire expedition will begin in about a month’s time, but it will be many months before its fate is known.