WHY BLACK HATE WHITE.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 220, 16 September 1924, Page 5

WHY BLACK HATE WHITE.

NEW GUINEA SCANDALS. HXTREATMENT OF NATIVES. DEMAND FOR AN INQUIRY. (Bj- Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 15. Mr. John Seiirr, editor of the ''Socialist Review," in a letter to the "Morning Post" in reference to the charges against Australian administration in New Guinea, points out that Mr. A. Canning spent less than a month in New Guinea, and that fourteen days of that month were spent in Eabaul, the balance being devoted to cruising round the coast. The evidence on oath was taken of 55 whites and 25' officials, in addition to the evidence already quoted in the "Socialist Review." Further reliable evidence has been pro- | vided by Mr. R. A. Prescott, a member of the British Scientific Expedition, who j states that at Marienbad he witnessed ; the consigning of 150 slaves for forced work. Miss Beatrice Grimshaw, the writer, was surprised to find how brutally the. whites treated the natives on the Sepik River. H. B. Cameron, medical assistant at Bahnatt Island, reported on the ill- i treatment of natives to Commissioner ! H. Cardew, who ordered an investigation, I but it had not taken place. '■ The letter quotes Mr. G. F. Pearee's j (Commonwealth Minister of Home and Territories! statement in Parliament on June 16: "It is impossible, owing to deliberate departmental obstruction, to sheet home charges- of a grave nature against officials of the mandated territory." Mr. Pcurr adds after this declaration it is imperative that a real impartial inquiry be held. Tt is hoped the Leaf*iie of Nations will nnde.rtake it fearlessly.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) The first article yi the "Socialist 'Review" alleged that atrocious cruelties had been practised against the native i labourers in German New Guinea under the mandates system. The author of the article was Mr. Francis Ahem. He wrote on the authority of Dr. Begley, who was medical officer at New Guinea in 1019, and who, j Mr.- Aliern states, fell foul of the officials soon after his arrival in the territory. The article alleged the shocking abuse of native women, the ruthless plundering and burning of native villages, and the flogging of natives of both sexes, as a result of which, he said the natives live in a state of terror. The writer further alleged that murder, arson, rape, slavery and brutality were common occurrences. This is proof positive that the Australian Government is not carrying out its duties in accordance with the mandate from the League of Nations. The "Morning Post" recalled Mr. A. Canning's report upon similar allegations of slavery and flogging, the general conclusion of which was that the natives appeared to be well fed and to fairly revel in their work. It was also stated that the German missionaries considered that British administration was perhaps a little too mild. I ===== J