EARLY AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 249, 17 July 1937, Page 7 (Supplement)

EARLY AUSTRALIA

A Study in 18th Century Penal Colonisation “The Foundation of Australia (17861800),” a study in English criminal practice and penal colonisation in the eighteenth century, by Eris O’Brien (London: Sheed and Ward). This most exhaustive study of the founding of Australia begins much further back than the actual introduction of a penal settlement to New South Wales in 1788. It examines industrial and political conditions in England to demonstrate just what made the formation of such a settlement in Australia necessary to the administration in England at that period. Toward the end of the eighteenth century the condition of the poor was worse than at any other time in British history. The misery of the masses, following upon the industrial revolution, gave rise to an attendant wave of crime which in turn made much sterner criminal laws seem desirable to those in power as a deterrent. English jails were overflowing with criminals and with those who were sentenced as harshly for minor offences. Added to this, England had lost her American outlet for convicts ten years previously, and the problem of what to do with her accumulation of evildoers became more pressing each year, until Australia was seized upon as the welcome solution to the problem. Mr. O’Brien has not omitted any phase in this background to the establishment of penal settlements. Public sentiment was not all in favour of transportation as a punishment for crime. Many far-sighted philanthropists were at work, some seeking reform of criminal laws, others seeking to reform the conditions under -which prisoners were detained. Humanitarianism was at last 'beginning to raise its head. Its voice did not become strong enough to abolish transportation of criminals till long after Australia had become established as a penal settlement. Part II of “The Foundation of Australia” deals with the actual facts of the colonisation. The author’s patience and research have been tireless, and the authenticity of his work cannot be doubted. The book makes close, even exacting reading, because every paragraph is loaded with historical fact of importance to any student of the subject. So much of vital interest was revealed that for the purposes of this volume the author could go no further than the breaking down of the system under Governor Hunter with the chaotic state of affairs existing on account of the influx of free settlers to the convict State, and the awakening of public opinion to the undesirability of the convict system. It 'is to be hoped that Mr. O’Brien will continue his valuable studies in a further volume or volumes to deal with later events in the foundation of Australia as a colony.