Mr CASEY, 18 August, 1869

'The Bill is intended to give the Board for the Protection of the Aborigines greater power to protect the natives.

The Bill will enable the board to watch out over the adult aboriginals throughout the colony - to prevent them wandering among grog-shops, and, in fact, becoming waifs and strays. I am informed that it is desirable that the board shall have the power to keep aboriginals, adults and children, on the stations, and provide them with food, clothing, and necessary education. The Bill will likewise enable the Board to exercise a certain amount of protection over the earnings of aboriginals who are employed by private persons.

If the Board is enabled to act in loco parentis to the aborigines…

It is merely proposed to perpetuate, by legal enactment, the present Board for the Protection of Aborigines.

It is the intention of the Bill to give the force of law to this, and to enable the board to make such rules and regulations as will protect both the young and the adults of the aboriginal tribes.'

Mr MACBAIN, 18 August, 1869

'The Board have long felt that they have not the power to protect the interests of the aborigines in such a way as to be of service to them. There have been so many attempts to interfere with the rights of the aborigines, and, the board not having the legal power to prosecute and punish the offending persons.'

Mr DUFFY, 18 August, 1869

'I think it is a reproach to this country that we have taken so little care of those who, after all, are the real owners of this country.'

Mr WATKINS, 18 August, 1869

'Provision ought also to be made for bringing up the half-caste offspring of the aborigines in such a way that they may be enabled to earn their own livelihood... but if a system of local bodies was established, to afford the board better information than they have at present as to the working of the various stations, I think it would be found very beneficial.'