Chapter M: Moorhouse,

Late Protector of Aborigines.

It is universally admitted that they are fast decreasing in number, and the cause of this decrease is attributed by most witnesses to their partial assumption of semi-civilized habits; where formerly they clothed themselves with the skins of animals taken in the chase, contact with Europeans has so changed their habits that they now, in a great measure, depend upon the scanty dole of blankets issued by the Government, which supplies, it appears from evidence, have been most irregular. Great suffering has been occasioned, especially among the aged and infirm natives, by the insufficient and ill-timed supplies, both of blankets and provisions. Disease appears to be induced by this partial and irregular clothing; pulmonary complaints prevailed to a fearful extent during last winter, aggravated by, if not entirely attributable to, this cause.

This decrease in their numbers is attributable to many causes:―

1st. From infanticide, to a limited extent.

2nd. From certain rites performed upon young men of some tribes, impairing their physical powers.

3rd. From the introduction among them by Europeans of a more aggravated form of syphilis than was known to exist previous to our occupation of the country. {63}

4th. From the introduction and use of intoxicating liquors, a habit of using which to excess is prevalent among the natives, who, despite of existing laws to the contrary, are frequently aided by Europeans in obtaining supplies.

5th. From the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes. This is proved by evidence to be carried to such an extent, not only between themselves, but also with Europeans, as, in a great measure, of itself to account for the infecundity of the race.

6th. From the disproportion of sexes.

GEO. HALL, Chairman.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

The question raised by Miss Nightingale, “Can we civilize the aborigines without killing them?” naturally arises from the fact that wherever Europeans have taken possession of the country of savage races, the latter have gradually disappeared before the face of the “white man.”

This state of things, I believe, may be traced to the three following causes:―

1st. The acquirement by the aborigines of the love for intoxicating liquors.

2nd. The immorality of the women with the “white man,” preventing their bearing children.

3rd. The introduction of diseases more fatal to them than to the Europeans, arising from their exposed lives, and general objection to submit themselves to proper medical treatment.

It will thus be easily seen that the aborigines do not, in reality, gradually disappear before the advantages of civilization, but rather fall victims to the vices and diseases introduced by the advent of unprincipled Europeans among them.

JOHN FERGUSON, Colonial Surgeon.

Perth, Nov. 17, 1860.

It is quite certain that the natives die in quick succession in the districts inhabited by Europeans, and it appears not less certain that a great many of the deaths are attributable to their having lived among us. But it is not civilization that has caused their deaths; it is rather the vices of the Europeans which they have imbibed, and the ignorance and recklessness of results in the natives themselves. They are mere children in understanding, and if their present wants are gratified they care not for the future. As an instance:—There is a stringent law prohibiting the selling or giving intoxicating drinks to them, but they willingly yield to the assistance offered to them by unprincipled sailors and others to elude this law made for their benefit. The men become intoxicated, and misery and wretchedness are the consequences to a portion of their families, who die prematurely, but not before their vicious habits have injured many besides themselves. There are many individuals in all countries who neither regard the laws of God nor man, and these unfortunate people might have been of the number, even if they had been civilized, but the probability is, that there would not have been so many victims if they had been rescued as children, and been taught what was right and really civilized. To live such a life as they now lead in towns among Europeans is not being civilized.

Not one of the Annesfield school children have ever shown the slightest wish to return to the bush; and from their parents and other relatives visiting them they have had opportunities enough to do so, if they had chosen to go. They duly appreciate civilization, and it has not injured the health of any of them, but, on the contrary, several that were ill when they came have improved in health.

It can scarcely be said that the civilization of the aborigines has been attempted in Western Australia. Five or six schools have at different times been established; some of these by private societies or individuals, and the remainder by Government. But there has been no organized system adopted, such as is necessary to the carrying out any great work. How little can any single school do! In the Annesfield Government Institution it has been the aim to prove that the natives are capable of being made useful members of society, and, what is more, that they are capable of understanding and embracing the great truths of salvation; and the result is fully satisfactory. But this institution is limited to 24 children.

The aborigines are like so much material without capital or tools to fashion it. For in a country such as this, where there are so many profitable {64} ways of employing money and labour, few can be found willing to furnish either of these requisites for this work of benevolence and unsought justice. It is said that nothing can be effected among the adult natives. But the colony has now been in the possession of the English 31 years, and if the then parents had been induced to give up their children for training, or even if they had given them up three or four years after, when they had got to know us as a friendly people, there would now be few of them in the settled districts but such as would have had the opportunity of being civilized.

ANNE CAMFIELD.

CEYLON.

In reply to Miss Nightingale’s question, “Whether we can civilize the native people without killing them?” it is gratifying to be able to assure her, that in Ceylon the native population, both of Singhalese and Tamil race, instead of declining and dying off before the European settlers, is rapidly increasing, and that the number both of our schools and scholars would be far greater than it is, if only we had the means of maintaining them at command.

J. COLOMBO.

The steady increase of population, however, except perhaps in the remotest districts, which education in any form has not yet reached, inclines me to believe that schools, whether conducted on the native or English systems, have proved an unqualified benefit to the people, and that, instead of inducing or extending disease of any kind, many of those enumerated in Miss Nightingale’s list being unknown in Ceylon, they have, by even temporarily withdrawing those who by reason of their tender age are most subject to the injurious consequences of bad habits and premature exertion, secured for them a remarkable immunity from the prevailing diseases of the country for the remainder of their lives.