WESTERN AUSTRALIAN NATIVES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIII, Issue 13714, 3 April 1905, Page 8

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN NATIVES.

THEIR ALLEGED ILL-TREAT-MENT. . THE QUESTION IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. United Press Association—By E'ectrie Telegraph—Copyright. ' LONDON, March 31. Mr John Campbell, M.P. for Armagh, raised a,- discussion in the House of Commons TJespeeting the ill-treat-ment of the West Australian natives. He asked what were the intentions of the Hon A. Lyttelton, Colonial Secretary, in regard to ,Dr Roth's reports, which recalled the crueltios committed in the dark ages. """. Mr Lyttelton said that the Commissioner's report revealed a deplorable state of things and had produced a foeling of the greatest abhorrence.. Nevertheless, they must remember -that the colony, regarding its internal affairs, was substantially independent. After reading the report he .had written a despatch snd had cabled to ask'the precise intentions of ministers. He had not received a reply, but he understood that the West Australian Government had appointed a Commissioner with a view to full legislation in 1905. Mr Lyttelton said he entirely identified himself with the Commissioners in the hope that the legislation, as passed in 1905, would embody Dr Roth's recommendations. Mr.Lyttelton expressed a belief that the West Australian Government was in the highest degiee airxioua t& dcM with the matter.