THE WESTRALIAN BLACKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13208, 15 February 1905, Page 5

THE WESTRALIAN BLACKS

A BAD STATE OF AFFAIRS. CHANGES IN THE LAW WANTED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. PERTH, February 14. (Received Feb. 14, at 9.21 a.m.) llr George Scott, gaoler at Wyndliam, five evidence before the Roth Commission. Ic stated that there were 103 aboriginals ia the Wyndham Gaol. Practically the whole of them were charged witli cattlekilling. The youngest was between 11 and 12 years old. All had received from six months' to two years' imprisonment with hard labour. Their idea was that they were in gaol for road-making, but as they become educated the majority get to know that they are in gaol for cattle-killing. The native prisoners are exceedingly wellbehaved. There is one boy, 15 years old, serving uine months for killing a- goat,'and another native prisoner, who is unable to do any work, was almost ill a state of collapse when he was received, and in that condition it was impossible for him to be guilty of killing cattle. By their own assertions every native caught means more money in the pockets of the police. Scott believed that squatters and their employees did shoot natives. (Received Feb. 14. at 9.33 a.m.) Sermons were preached in a number of churches 'regarding the disclosures of Dr Roth's Commission. The preachers strongly urged immediate reforms and the punishment of the guilty. The Colonial Secretary states that there are many matters regarding the natives which cannot be dealt with now. A new Aborigines Protection Bill will be among the first measure* introduced in the next session of Parliament. Immediately rt was passed many- reforms would be made. He recognised, however, that there were evils that could be remedied without the aid a new measure. Existing legislation was adequate to rectify certain faults, and these were engaging the Government's attention.