["Fitzroy News", The Northern Times (Carnarvon, WA), Saturday 30 November 1912, page 2]

FITZROY NEWS

RAIN, NIGGERS, AND WAGES.

Our Fitzroy River (v. Derby) correspondent writes under date November 8:--

December and Christmas coming in sight once again! Xmas amidst all the discomforts that Kimberley alone in all the world can supply! This is the country that Political Australia says must be kept white at all costs, with Japan just in the backyard. It is to be hoped if Japan does take this portion of Australia she will make better use of it than White Australia has done. The wet season has opened auspiciously: good early thunderstorms and heavy rains, with every appearance of a splendid season. Already it seems that there will be a record wool clip next year, and the fat oxen that delighteth the heart and other parts of Perth people and the dark men of Java and Singapore most probably will go away next year in greater numbers than ever before, thereby making Derby a flourishing seaport, which is a consideration for the capital city of--not Australia, but the new State of North-West Australia (though I believe Port Hedland sees herself in that light). The quiet season is now with us; all teams except Gogo are painted and put away for next year, all droving is finished, and, incidentally, all the surplus men are sacked to save a few bob, though when the 1913 season starts there will be the same cry as in 1912, for more labor.

If Premier Scaddan passes his Bill for the abolition of aboriginal labor, things will be turned upside down. The Kimberley landowner loves black bruther because he is cheap, and at present he doesn't see how he can possibly get on without him. The price of wool has caused these owners to smile this year, and some splendid prices have been realised; also the price of fat stock – both sheep and cattle – has been good, so everything in the garden is lovely.

To the writer's idea, it is worth £2 a week to live in Kimberley without working. All work done should be paid for as if the £2 a week was par.

As the wet season proceeds I will send along another budget. Wishing you the same old wishes for the same old season, I finish!