SERIOUS STATEMENTS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 13, 28 December 1911, Page 6

SERIOUS STATEMENTS.

ABOUT PAPUAN EXPLORATION

PARTY

MUCH CRUELTY ALLEGED

(Received 28, 10.10 a.m.) Sydney, December 28. Remarkable statements are published concerning Stamforth Smith’s expedition to search the coalfields of Rapua. The Rapuan officials and the Department affe greatly concerned at the result of the expedition, particularly over the treatment of native carriers. After reading Smith’s reports and the evidence at the inquest on the dead carriers, the Act-ing-Minister administered a severe rebuke on Smith, and expressed surprise that he did not proceed to the locality reported to contain coalfields. The fact that only a small quantity cf rice was taken for the natives’ food was a mistake. Had a good supply been taken they would have been "an better physical condition to withstand the hardships. Another serious matter was the beating of carriers for stealing when the pangs hunger were strong upon them. It came as a shock to learn that they were treated in such a manner. The evidence of a native policeman states that owing to inability to find sago, the carriers became thin and weak and imfit for work. When the raft capsized they were drowned because they were too weak to swim. Smith stated that the only beating was given for stealing from native gardens, which put the party in danger of a hostile outbreak.