AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23512, 28 May 1938, Page 20

AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES

FAST DYING RACE DESERTED RESERVES IN NORTH (From Our Own Correspondent) SYDNEY, May 20. Few Australians give deep consideration to the future of the Australian aborigines, but the more thoughtful sections of the community are perturbed by recent evidence that the race is fast dying. It is estimated that the aboriginal population has fallen from 200,000 to 40,000 in the 150 years of white settlement. In the sparsely-populated Northern Territory of Australia, where the aborigines would appear to have the best chance of surviving the deteriorating influences of the white man's civilisation, the outlook for them appears as hopeless as anywhere else. A report by the Northern Territory Administrator (Mr C. L. A. Abbott) revealed that the aborigines there are dwindling in numbers, drifting into civilised areas, and suffering badly from tuberculosis. A check revealed that there were not more than 10,000 aborigines living in the whole of the Territory, according to Mr Abbott. Until this was made it was believed that there were nearly 18,000. Patrol Officer Strehlow said' in a report on the south-west reserve that he discovered a .shocking state of affairs. "The northern part of the reserve seemed to be quite empty," he stated, " and in the southern .section I saw fewer than 30 natives in all. Only 10 years ago there were hordes of natives living in the reserve." " One of the difficulties in connection with the welfare of natives is to deal successfully with the problem of detribalised natives," said Mr Abbott, referring to the position at Darwin. "At the present compound, with its proximity to the town area and its shortcomings in surveillance, it is impossible to maintain adequate control and discipline."