ABORIGINES' PROTECTION SOCIETY.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 36, 23 August 1864, Page 3

ABORIGINES' PROTECTION SOCIETY.

The twenty- seventh annual meeting of the Aborigines' Protection Society was held on the 20th ult,, at Exeter Hall; Mr. E. N. Fowler in the chair. The report, a very lengthy document, dealt principally with the recent outbreak in Algeria, and strongly denounced the confiscation policy of the Legislature in New Zealand relative to the Maories. On the motion of the Eev. J Long, seconded by the Eev. S. Crowther, Bishop Designate of the Niger, the report was adopted. Col. Hadfieid then moved the following resolution : — " That abundant evidence exists to demonstrate the destructive influence of modern colonisation, and shows that the settlement of new countries, which ought to be the source of honor and prosperity to the mother country and to her enterprising sons, serves rather to inflict upon both an indelible stain, as well as to insure a vast amount of justly retributive evil ; and that, fully recognising the great difficulties with which conscientious Governments and humane colonists must contend, this meeting wouldunequivocally reject as blasphemous the popular sentiment that the destruction of the aborigines, effected as it is by the worst passions of man, is really an ordination of Divine Providence, and would honor and encourage those who act on the opposite policy." Commander Pirn, E.N., seconded the resolution, which was supported by Mr. Montgomery Martin, and unanimously adopted. The Eev. J. Gibson (Australia) moved a resolution protesting against the New Zealand Confiscation Act, the "war in Ashantee, .and the destruction of aboriginal life in Australia, as being alike opposed to justice and sound policy, and

, referring, to .Jhese^ instances* as a rcison why the Aborigines' Protection Society y should be \[ vigorously,. J?uatained in it» ;" noble ahd r arduous work. -> I- riThe-Eey. J^Davis secb_ued the motion, . which was unanimously agreed" to. ) Mr. J. Simpson directed attention to the extraordinary steps taken by the l Americans in exterininating the Sioux Indians.' ' --''-- *• - Thanks were voted to the Chairman, ' and the.., proceedings terminated. — Auss tralian Mail, > Juner 14.