Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 June 2009
This article is an attempt to survey, in a thematic fashion, the history of whiteaboriginal relations in Western Australia. Although it is based on research into the period from 1897 to 1954,1 the author believes that the more recent developments have not basically affected the validity of the comments here presented. He is also convinced that, speaking broadly, they are applicable to the Australian scene as a whole. The article should therefore be of interest to the students of white-aboriginal relations anywhere in Australia.
1 Native Administration and Welfare in Western Australia 1897–1954, M.A. Thesis, University of Western Australia, 1965Google Scholar
2 Observer (Sydney), 13 June 1959.
3 Stanner, W.E.H., “Continuity and Change Among the Aborigines”, Australian Journal of Science, 12 1958, p.P. 104.Google Scholar
4 Reay, M. (ed.), Aborigines Now (Sydney, 1964), ix.Google Scholar
5 Hasluck, P., Black Australians: A Survey of Native Policy in Western Australia, 1829–1897 (Melbourne, 1942), p. 57.Google Scholar
6 Ibid.
7 Ibid., p. 58.
8 See Grey, G., Journals of Two Expeditions of Discovery in North-West and Western Australia, 2 vols. (London, 1841), vol. 2, pp. 373–88.Google Scholar
9 Bates, D.M., The Passing of the Aborigines (London, 1938), p. 67.Google Scholar
10 Hasluck, , Black Australians, p. 101.Google Scholar
11 Rowley, C.D., “Aborigines and Other Australians”, Oceania, 06 1962, p. 249.Google Scholar
12 Doughty, J., The Green Stick (London, 1960), p. 124.Google Scholar
13 Ibid., p. 17.
14 Rowley, , “Aborigines and Other Australians”, p. 249Google Scholar. Note, however, John Wilson's comment that while mass reprisals (in the north-west) were thought deplorable, especially when children were shot by the settlers, they were partially excused on the grounds that members of both cultures were “wild old fellows”. The atrocities were not resented so much as being “knocked back”, that is the refusal by the station owners of clothing, tobacco and other amenities. (Authority and Leadership in a ‘New-Style’ Australian Aboriginal Community: Pindan, Western Australia, M.A. Thesis, University of Western Australia, 1961, p. 36.)Google Scholar
15 Stanner, , “Continuity and Change Among the Aborigines”, p.P. 101.Google Scholar
16 At least two inquiries into the native problem can be attributed to this criticism. See Report of Royal Commission on the Conditions of Natives, Parl. Paper 5/1905, and Report of the Royal Commission Appointed to Investigate, Report and Advise upon Matters in Relation to the Condition and Treatment of Aborigines, Parl. Paper 2/1935.
17 The aborigines' right of access to their tribal grounds was acknowledged by the 1864 Land Regulations (Government Gazette, 24 August 1864) and the 1898 Land Act.
18 Elkin, A.P., “Reaction and Interaction: A Food Gathering People and European Settlement in Australia”, American Anthropologist, 1951, p. 168.Google Scholar
19 An extract from a letter written in 1915 to the Minister of Education by John Kickett, a Quairading mixed-blood, speaks for itself. Kickett complained that his children were not allowed to attend the local school, although his member of Parliament had promised that they would be allowed to enrol “proveiding I lived as a white man and I looked after my children. Now Sir I am farmeing I have 200 acres of land and Trying to make a liveing out of it … I was teached at a State school and don't want to see my children degraded”. Three years later Kickett wrote to the local member of Parliament: “I want a Little Fair Play if you will Be so Kind Enough to see on my Beharfe … I have five of my People in France Fighting Since you were her for your Election one has been Killed which leaves four … as my people are Fighting for our King and Country Sir I think they should have the liberty of going to any State school.” (Education Department File 4259/1914.)
20 Report on Survey of Native Affairs by F.E.A.Bateman, Part. Paper 19/1948.
21 Moola Bulla, Violet Valley and Munja, established in 1910, 1911 and 1926 respectively. Violet Valley was closed in 1940, Munja in 1949, while Moola Bulla was sold to private interests in 1955.
22 Quoted, in translation, in Emerson, R., From Empire to Nation (Cambridge, Mass., 1960), p. 428.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
23 Reay, , Aborigines Now, viii.Google Scholar
24 Hancock, W.K., Australia (Brisbane, 1964), p. 59.Google Scholar
25 Ibid., p. 61.
26 Ibid., p. 60.
27 In 1852 some of the duties of the guardians of aborigines (the office was created in 1840 and abolished in 1855) were transferred to native “governors” or “kings” who were appointed as an “influence for the maintenance of order”. One of the best known “kings” was King Billy of Geraldton whose “investiture” by Governor Weld has been recorded by Mitchell, S. in Looking Backward (Geraldton, 1911).Google Scholar
28 Wilson, , Authority and Leadership in a ‘New-Style’ Australian Aboriginal Community: Pindan, Western Australia, p. 73.Google Scholar
29 See Royal Commission of Inquiry into Alleged Killing and Burning of Bodies of Aborigines in East Kimberley and into Police Methods when Effecting Arrests, Parl. Paper 3/1927.
30 Sunday Times, 26 November 1926.Google Scholar
31 West Australian, 10 March 1928.Google Scholar
32 Harris, M., “Are we All Murderers?”, Nation, 11 11 1959.Google Scholar
33 West Australian, 29 September 1944.Google Scholar
34 Department of Native Affairs, Annual Report, 1944–1945, p. 9.Google Scholar
35 Gye, C., The Cockney and the Crocodile (London, 1962), p. 36.Google Scholar
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37 Gere, N., The Fringe Dwellers (London, 1961).Google Scholar
38 Prichard, K.S., N'Goola and Other Stories (Melbourne, 1959).Google Scholar
39 Stanner, , “Continuity and Change Among the Aborigines”, p.P. 104.Google Scholar
40 Capell, A., “Christian Missions and Australian Aboriginal Religious Practice”, International Review of Missions, 04 1950, p. 177.Google Scholar
41 Harrison, C., A Study of the Culture Contact Situation in Collie, B.A. (Hons.) Thesis, University of Western Australia, 1960.Google Scholar
42 42 Review by Stow, R. in Australian Book Review, 11 1961, p. 3.Google Scholar
43 Stanner, , “Continuity and Change Among the Aborigines”, p.P. 99.Google Scholar
44 Ibid., p.P. 107.
45 Taft, Ronald, “A Psychological Model For the Study of cial Assimilation”, Human Relations, 1957, p. 154.Google Scholar
46 Rowley, , “Aborigines and Other Australians”, p. 253.Google Scholar
47 Rose, R., Living Magic (London, 1957), p. 193.Google Scholar
48 Ibid.
49 Durack, M., “From Yallangonga to Namatjira: a Noted Author Surveys Native Education”, W.A. Teachers Journal, 04 1961, p. 53.Google Scholar
50 Stanner, , “Continuity and Change Among the Aborigines”, p.P. 105.Google Scholar
51 Ibid., p.P. 104.
52 Barnard, M., A History of Australia (Sydney, 1962), p. 666.Google Scholar