["White Divers For The Pearling Industry", The Sunday Times (Perth, WA), Sunday 04 February 1912, page 9]

WHITE DIVERS FOR THE PEARLING INDUSTRY

An Interesting Experiment

An important step in the direction of settling the vexed question of white divers versus Asiatics was taken on Feb. 1 with the arrival of 12 experienced divers from England with their necessary tenders.

It will be remembered that the Pearlers' Association of Broome, in order to thoroughly test the question whether white divers are capable of performing the arduous work of finding pearl shell in deep water, arranged to set apart a certain number of luggers, to be manned by white divers and tenders, these men to be employed for a sufficient time to decide the point beyond the shadow of a doubt.

In order that none but the best and most experienced men should be obtained, the matter was placed in the hands of Messrs. Siebe, Gorman and Co.. the celebrated manufacturers of diving gear, in conjunction with a committee of Broome pearlers now resident in London, and the 24 men now arrived are those chosen by the selectors.

The whole of these interesting immigrants are ex-naval divers, that is, men who have not only a practical experience of the work under all conditions, but who also have a thorough knowledge of its scientific aspect. They are, in addition, imbued with all the traditions of a service which imposes so high a standard of duty that the idea of shirking or evading either danger or responsibility is an impossibility. Under such conditions as these, the experienced body of men may be relied upon to give the Pearlers' Association loyal and active support in their attempt to solve the problem that lies before them, and it only remains for the association, on the other hand, to see that the test is carried out under absolutely fair working condltiaas, and that no unconscious bias in favor of the Asiatic diver is allowed to interfere.

On arrival here the new pearl divers were met by Mr. J. S. Davis, Broome representative of Siebe. Gorman and Co., on behalf of the Pearlers' Association, and by whom all arrangements have been made for their comfort while at Fremantle, and for the prosecution of their further journey to Broome. They will leave for their destination on February 9 by the Koombana, and the fateful 12 months' experiment will be initiated immediately on their arrival.