PAPUAN EXPEDITION

Otago Witness, Issue 3016, 3 January 1912, Page 27

PAPUAN EXPEDITION

ALLEGED CRUELTY TO NATIVES MELBOURNE, December 28. Remarkable statements have been published concerning the Stamforth Smith expedition in cearch of coal fields in Papua. The Papuan officials and the do partment are greatly concerned as to the result of the expedition, particularly over the treatment meted out to the native carriers. After reading Mr Smith’s records and the evidence taken at the inquest on the dead carriers, the Acting Minister administered a severe rebuke to Mr Smith, and expressed surprise that h© did not proceed to the locality reported to contain coalfields. The fact that only a small quantity o( rice was taken for the natives for food was a mistake, as had an adequate supply been taken they would have been in better physical condition to withstand th« hardships encountered. Another serious matter was the beating of the carriers for stealing when the pangs of hunger were strong upon them. It came as a .shock to the Acting Ministef to learn that the natives were treated in such a manner. The evidence of the native policemen stated that owing to their inability to find sago the carriers became thin and weak, and unfit for work. When the raft capsized they were drowned, because they were too weak to swim. Mr Smith stated that the only beating given was for stealing from the native gardens, which might have caused a hostile outbreak.