STRANGE POSITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22166, 20 July 1935, Page 23

STRANGE POSITION

"WHITES" BECOME "BLACK" CASES AT THURSDAY ISLAND Deputations which met the AttorneyGeneral of Queensland, Mr. Mullan, recently, revealed that an extraordinary position is being created by the last amendments to the Aborigines Act. The status of a number of white men, some of whom are on the electoral roll, is challenged by a provision which permits them to be sent to native reserves because they are married to coloured women. Bishop Davies accompanied a man, Mr. D. Hodges, who was greatly concerned over having to submit to the Protector's dictum, but who certainly comes within the scope of the amendment to the Act. The bishop stated that this man, whose father was white, had been with his present employers over 17 years. He returned from the war minus a log. His character could not be questioned, but as he was married to a coloured woman and has a family he was declared by the Act to be an aboriginal. Ho feared that he might be brought under the Protector, removed from his home, and isolated with natives on some reserve, for no reason except that it would be the Protector's order, with no right, power, or means to effectively protest. Mr. Mullan said he thought the amendment was being misunderstood, but he would investigate tho matter. A deputation of five men was received, these having been appointed by a meeting of practically all those similarly affected. About 60 coloured men accompanied tho deputation. Of its five members four were whites. These four, whoso wives are of aboriginal blood, expressed their resentment at the amendments, and asked that they should be abrogated. Two of the men said that if there was any interference with them or their families they would not take it quietly. Mr. Mullan assured tho deputation that nothing unjust would be done, and that the matter would be fully in> vestigated.