AUSTRALIAN NATIVES

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 February 1937, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN NATIVES

ALLEGED ILL-TREATMENT. [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —CO2YBIGHT.] (Received February 18, 2 p.m.) LONDON, February 17. Bitter criticism of Australia’s treatment of aborigines was voiced by Rev. Mr. Lefroy, former Secretary of the Australian Board of Missions, ata conference of the British Commonwealth League, held to consider Aboriginal problems. “Outrages, which shocked the Australian public were committed by the police in Central and North Australia,” he said. “In one case, it was admitted that from fifty to sixty natives were sacrificed to avenge the d§ath of one white. It is safe to say that in some places no white jury would convict a white for an offence against a native. It is a matter for general congratulation that the Federal Government now seems willing to adopt reforms.” The conference passed a resolution congratulating the Government for the new policy, but adding, at the instance of Mr. Lefroy: “It suggests the Government should keep a strict watch on the administration of justice and the work of the police.”