NO FORCED MARRIAGES

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1934, Page 5

NO FORCED MARRIAGES

WHITE MEN AND HALF-CASTES. AN ALLEGATION DENIED. In the Australian House of Representatives recently Mr. Holloway, a Labour member,, made allegations that the Chief Protector of Aborigines in the Northern Territory, Dr. Cook, to test an anthropological theory, was inducing white men to marry half-caste women, by giving those men preference who promised so to marry, and that white men could not secure employment unless they agreed to marry half-caste women. The Minister of the Interior, Mr. Perkins, had inquiries made into the allegations, and a few days ago' he gave an emphatic denial to Mr. Holloway’s statements, basing it on a report he received from the Administrator of the territory. The Minister said that Dr. Cook had no power to make appointments, and consequently could not give preference in any kind of Government employment. Dr. Cook naturally had nothing to do with appointments .by private persons or firms. It always had been contrary to policy to force half-caste women to marry anyone. Mr. Holloway had made his statement in all good faith, following tales told him by irresponsible persons in the Northern Territory. By adopting the course of making his statement in Parliament he had cast a slur on the reputation of a conscientious, able and loyal officer, who was unable to defend himself.

Mr. Holloway said he was glad to have the Minister’s assurance, but he had brought the matter up in Parliament as the result of representations by people who were far from irresponsible.