NATIVE LABOUR IN NORTHWESTERN AUSTRALIA. Extraordinary Statements.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 163, 31 July 1886, Page 10

NATIVE LABOUR IN NORTHWESTERN AUSTRALIA. Extraordinary Statements.

The steadier Victorian, which arrived at Port Adeliade' from Western Australia on Friday morning, had on board as a passenger the Rev. J.JB. Gribble (Anglican), who for a .considerable time past, has been endeavouring- to establish a mission 'Station among the natives in the north*>weBtern part of Australia. In answer to a representative from this office, who interviewed him on his arrival,' Mr f Grabble gave the following particulars as to the native labour in the north-west of Western' Australia, and his 'difficulties in endeavouring io establish , a mission there : — 1 ' '„' * ''After labouring for seven years in the interior of New Soutti Wales I was called by the Church in the west of Australia to organise a station there. My work for the most part has been carried on in the Upper Gascoyne district for the last ten months. I have succeeded in forming a mission at Port Gascoyne, but' I have bad a great deal of trouble with the settlers thereabouts. They fought very hard to break up the mission from the commencement, an/1 were very bitter against, me. In the north-west the mode of engaging servants is professedly the same as that provided in the Masters and Servants Act of England,, but It, is really a very inhuman mode which they call the assignment system. Under this system every kind of cruelty and ill-treat ment is carried op, and the natives are treated like wild animals. I have seen as many as 37 poor blacks chained neck and neck like dogs, and other atrocities of an equally (inhuman oharacter are practised upon them. Under the assignment system the settlers can compel a native to make a cross to an agreement which shall render him a slave to his so-called employer. At the station they are forced to *o shepherding, shearing, and other work, and are a source of very great revenue to their masters. I noticed all theae things, and whilst carrying on my mission work quietly I pointed out to those occupj ing the stations that the natives were not treated as they ought to be, and that they should be kept at least as human beings. In consequence of this the wrath of the settlers came down upon me, A meeting, of which I had no notice, was called, and resolutions were drawn up and forwarded to the Western Australian Government, condemning missionary work in the Gascoyne district, and discountenancing my efforts. They also resolved upon sending a letter to the bishop, pointingoutthatmy work interfered with the native labour system. Owing to these steps I had to return to Perth, a distance of 60C miles. I pleaded the cause of the mission before the Western Australian Government and the bishop, and received assurances of their sympathy and Bupport. I then delivered a lecture on the native question, which was very well received by the public, after which I returned again to the scene of my labours. During my absence the settlers had arranged to prevent me from landing. They chartered all the lighters, bo that none would be available for landing my supplies and building material. This difficulty was, however, overcome, and they refused to give the mission any sympathy whatever. For two months the boycotting was continued at intervals, and the settlers obtained such power that I was at last prevented from getting a bit of meat. Those who had supplied me with this necessity informed me that I could have no more. A friend kindly ordered a larger supply of meat so that I might receive a little, but his supply was also stopped when the stratagem leaked our» One gentleman kindly allowed me to kill sheep from station, but the settlers threatened to boycot him for supplying me with food. After this another indignation meeting was held, at which the lecture I had delivered at Perth was denounced. I had accidentally heard of the intention to hold a meeting, and was present. I patiently listened to all they bad to say against the mission, and then requested to be heard in my defence. I had not been speaking more than 10 minutes when there was a great howl of indignation, and a continual volley of interruptions. For an hour and a half I occupied the platform without being able to defend my position. One man present threatened me jvifch personal violence, and another declared that he would do anything to kick me out of the district. There were a few gentlemen present who interfered in my behalf, and before withdrawing I informed the meeting that- I should endeavour to obtain redress by means of the press. I then wrote an account of my mission experiences and an article on the native labour system for the Perth papers " West Australian Enquirer" and "Daily News." The editor of the first named paper, which was a Government organ, and also the organ of the settler?, sent my manuscript on to the bishop, but the editors of the other papers said they would be happy to publish the journal and artieleforthwith. Thesanction of tlie bishop was given for their publication, and they appeared in due course. Their appearance caused a great' sensation, and widespread indignation was expressed at the fa'cte related. My committee then held a meeting and passed resolutions condemning my action in publishing the particulars. Thia meeting was held previous to my second journey to Perth. On board the ateamer Natal, in which I made the journey, I was cowardly assaulted by ( s6me pearlers and settlers. They endeavoured .to throw me over the side of the vessel, and also threatened to hang or shoot me if I "continued with my mission work. Another meeting was held by my committee, and resolu-' tions expressing sympathy with me in the treatment I had received at the hands' of the settlers and pearlers were passed, and it was further decided to use every exertion with the object of bringing the offenders to justice I waited upon a' certain lawyer with reference to the matter, but he said hp would have nothing to do with- ib. Then I tried to sußpcona a number of witnesses of the aesault on board the steamer-Natal,-but I could not' get; any of the officials- to do the*, work,' notwithstanding, that I made the application within the prescribed, office hours. On the following clay the Natal made a hurried departure for Singapore. Subsequently I saw another.legal gentleman, and in his company endeavoured to secure the issues of summonses against, the assailants, but the polico magistrate refused to receive my information, at the ea,me time stating tha,t he would have to refer the matter to the Cro.wn Law , Offices, which was a most unprecedented course. The_ Attorney-General was consulted by the^ police magistrate in the matter, but the latter official was informed .that, it was hie business to attend to tlie •affair. Thp. matter was not "dealt with .in the ordinary way, but, itgot, into jthe liaiads I of the> Government, &nd, it appear^ that they endeavoured^ to s&ieldt' the* offend era because • t they jjvere connected tyitb/.<sbme»of the^best families in the colony., ,, The Attorney- Gerieral ,and the gotat^dTaggers, drawn ' Bqverj tK^ af/4i£ u antUhis Excejjericy/\van,ted ijto^cperce t the 7 Attorney-G"eno*rjal „iyatb,« an^ expreaeion/of opinion on the. subject* .This he declined^ to give, arid the relationship, between them became so strained that the

Attorney-General eventually resigned his - seat pending the decision of* the' Queen in ., the matter. The lawyer who had previouslydeclined to have anything to do with my case waa then appointed to the position of > Attorney -General, and I was afterwardspromised that there should be no delay in , the. affair. Thus assured I again went back to the mission in the north-west, and later, after^ making a journey of 400 miles in the interior, I travelled to Fremantle, where I? expected my case, would be ready, for hearing on May 17. On my arrival there I found to my great surprise that'nothing had been done by, the: authorities, although a solicitor had used his utmost endeavours in the case. After this I decided to refer 'the whole affair in the home Government, and this I have done., , Then 1 (delivered a series of lectures and the native labour system which' caused some sensation in the colony. <L afterwards published a pamphlet entitled ,^Dark Deeds in a Sunny Land'; and thecopies were rapidly bought up. -I may have to go' to England myself, and probably the affair will lead to the* Governor of Western Australia - being unseated. — Frcm the " Australian Advertiser," July 3rd., ,