AUSTRALIAN NATIVES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21983, 19 June 1933, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN NATIVES

"CONDITIONS AKIN TO SLAVERY"

KIDNAPPING OF WOMEN ALLEGED (United Prose Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, June 17. (Received June 18, at 0.30 p.m.) The British Commonwealth League Conference fully discussed the position of the Australian aborigines in a t>*o davs' debate and passed a resolution appealing to Australian women's societies to combine in directing the attention of the Governments to the conditions akin to slavery under which detribalised aborigines and half castes are Hying, including infant betrothal, natives lending their wives in exchange for material <rain, and also the marriage of a polygamous husband to girls who are sometimes Christians. The Federal Government was urged to provide a special department to deal with aboriginal offences. * . The Rev. John Jones, ex-chairman ot the Australian Board of Missions, averred the truth of Australian messages to the London Daily Herald, alleging the kidnapping of native women by Japanese. This long-standing custom was increasing owing to Japanese influence in the areas affected. ALLEGATIONS DENIED DESCRIBED AS ABSURD. CANBERRA, June 17. (Received June 18, at 0.30 p.m.) Officials describe the London allegations of slavery conditions among * the' aborigines as absurd. The Government policy is to preserve aborigines in every way possible, and the chief protector of aborigines is clothed with wide powers to supervise the moral and material welfare of full bloods and half castes. The author, lon Idriess, spiritedly denies the allegations. He says that native men are legitimately employed in many capacities but never as slaves. There is no illegal recruiting.