[“Treatment of Natives”, The Hedland Advocate (Port Hedland, WA), Friday 25 December 1908, page 7]
Treatment of Natives
Some little time ago, in the course of an article on the treatment of natives, we referred to employers turning natives adrift when they became enfeebled by disease. Our attention has been called to the fact that this has been misconstrued as referring to a number of well-known squatters. Such an imputation was furthest from our thoughts, as we have personal [experience] of the humane treatment extended to old native servants on such stations as Mundabullangana, De Grey, Eel Creek, etc. At the former station there is quite a large number of old pensioners who daily line up for their food; and they are supplied without any labour being expected in return. On two different occasions our representative visited the homestead at Mundabullangana and on each visit paid particular attention to the manner in which the natives were treated. They were very well catered for by the management.
Anent the farcical “inspection” of diseased natives all over the Pilbarra, can it be expected that a constable (especially if he has a wife and family) will perform a Lock-hospital examination on any sickly looking gin he meets? He generally reports “saw no diseased natives.” There are many in the Pilbarra districts who would rather resign their positions that properly attend to such work. The system is a disgraceful one, and no permanent good can result until it is altered, segregation camps off Carnarvon notwithstanding.
AB notes:
The medical examination of Aborigines emerges as a problem, and community attitudes harden.
