SLAVERY IN AUSTRALIA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7066, 19 January 1885, Page 4

SLAVERY IN AUSTRALIA.

A writer in a recent lsßue of the North Australian asserts that a form of slavery exists in connection with the pearl shelling industry on the North Australian coasts, and gives the following account of the manner in which it ia carried on : — " A party of men under a competent leader purchase a boat suitable for pearling, provision and arm her, and take on board a number of horses, provided, of course, with all necessary riding materials. They then proceed to the west coast of Western Australia, where settlement has not yet begun, and land the horses and a part of the provisions. A few days' grace are given the horses to allow them to recoup their land legs, after which a start is made inland. Now, to an outsider, the conclusion that they were on a land exploration trip would no doubt be acceptable, but follow them up and you will see that their only object is to discover a native camp, and if they are successful then comeß the first act. As many of the blacks as are required and appear suitable are oat out from the main body and driven to the

place where the boat has been left, thence taken on board under penalty of death for refusal. From thence they are taken before a Magistrate. The white interpreter (who, by the bye, is one of the ship's company) explains to the J.P. that the men are perfectly willing to sail from ' home, sweet home,' and become divers. The magistrate tells the Interpreter to make known to the blacks under what conditions they are engaged ; but he substitutes a question to suit himself, and probably asks them if they would like a bag of flour or a few bags of sugar, for they immediately nod their heads, and this the Magistrate takes to be a token of unanimous assent. They are at once formally engaged, and placed safely on board again. The vessel sails for the fishing ground, and from that time until the season closes these poor wretches of blacks are virtually nothing better than abject slaves. When the season is ended the vessel runs out to one of the many islands ;in the neighborhood, far from the mainland, and deposits the blacks on it, leaving sufficient rations and water to last till the shelling season shall begin again, after which the vessel proceeds to market with her ill-gotten load. Any communication with tho mainland is impossible, bo the slaves are obliged to make the best of the situation."