Mr Duffy

'One very objectionable practice which came under his notice at the station was the mode in which the half-caste children, and especially the octoroon and quadroon children, of both sexes were brought up together. Many of these who, in Melbourne, would be almost looked upon as white, were brought up amongst the pure blooded blacks addicted to all the barbarianisms of their race. This was a state of things that certainly was not conducive to the establishment of a sound code of morals. The sooner such a system was got rid of the better, although he quite admitted that it was necessary to have some refuge for the blacks. Some of the half-caste men whom he saw on the station were equally as capable of earning their living as white men if they were compelled to do so. There was no real work done at the station. It was simply an amusement for the blacks. Some of them would perhaps go out and hoe a little, and then leave off and hold a public meeting to discuss their grievances. The system was radically bad from beginning to end. Some of the young men should be at once sent out to mix with white people and earn their living. The octoroon and quadroon children could be boarded out with great advantage, and at a saving of expense to the State. They could also be apprenticed to trades as they grew up. From what he had seen of the climate, he would conclude that it was a most unsuitable place for aborigines. They should be at once removed to a warmer climate. No objection would be offered by the blacks to such removal, as the greater number of them had all been accustomed to a warmer climate, and would, no doubt, be glad to be removed from their present cold damp residence.

The honourable member for East Bourke informed them that the blacks were sometimes presumptuous enough to object to mutton and prefer beef, and vice versa. It reminded him of the story of Oliver Twist and the beadle. The horror depicted on the official's countenance at Oliver's request for "more" was doubtless equalled by the astonishment of the honourable member when the aborigines objected to eat mutton. For his (Mr. Duffy's) part, he could not see that those people should not be indulged in a little change of that kind. The honourable member also told the committee that the blacks were commencing to believe that these reserves were intended for their use and benefit and that it was only right on the part of the Government to look after them. That had always been his (Mr Duffy's) view of the matter. An idea had, however, apparently grown up that the blacks were placed there for the benefit of the white people who looked after them. There was no code of management. There were no rules or regulations as to the manner in which the aborigines should be managed.

Mr. Johnstone

The treatment of the aborigines appeared to be characterised by disorganisation and mismanagement. He considered it the duty of the State to make every provision for the safe keeping of the aborigines. It was the duty of the State, in the interests of humanity, apart from the right on their part to see that these poor creatures received every attention that it was possible to give them.'