One approaches the proposal with a scepticism born of the conviction that it will be revealed as the panacea of the visionary unacquainted with the problems involved.
It is reassuring therefore, to find that its operation would not be impaired by its confinement to the myall native and the total exclusion of the already half civilised. It is not proposed to collect natives of assorted Tribes, and to confine them – in theory at least – to a legally prescribed area remote from their homes. Such an intention must at the very outset have stamped the whole project as impracticable, futile, and indeed undesirable. And yet one cannot help but regret that security of health and morals is not ensured by provision of some machinery to control native migration between civilised centres and the Native Reserve.
One feels that much it to be hoped of a plan to ensure that the inviolate aboriginal undergo the preliminary evolution necessary for his full investiture with white civilization, secure from its degrading and demoralising influences. Hitherto the aboriginal on his first acquaintance with civilization has encountered the lowest plane and has succumbed to its vices and diseases. The results have been disastrous. Much better fortune should attend his entry into the civilised fold by another gate – one admitting him first to contact with a higher stratum of society.
This may be idealism, but in the history of nations idealism has accomplished much of merit and its failures have never spelt disgrace. In any event there can be no regretting the introduction of something of idealism into the Administration of aboriginal affairs.
So far one can follow and applaud the Native State. One hopes however that the zeal will be tempered with caution and idealism with discretion. The fortunes of much of the project will be followed by a cynical and critical multitude, and its failure will deem the doom of the aboriginal. It must be recognized that, at the outset, hope lies in its exploitation as a prophylactic rather than as a remedy. Applied solely to the unspoilt native there is hope for its success – it is neither practicable nor desirable to include in its application natives who have learned the immorality of the whites. Such cannot be materially advantaged by a scheme of this nature, yet their vicious influences – moral and pathological – would irrecoverably defeat the intention of the plan.
Its execution will be beset with a legion of practical difficulties and it is to be hoped that authority for commencement will be withheld until the petitioners are able to present a details statement of the procedure proposed, based upon close consideration of every aspect of the problem to be faced. Such statement should set out the machinery to be provided for meeting every possible practical objection, so that the work may not begin until conditions are propitious for success.
Two problems which must be faced and judicially finalised at once are:
- The selection of an area, which, whilst adequate for the purpose, is neither so extensive nor so wealthy as to arouse the cupidity of the advancing white population should the aboriginal justify his exclusive retention f it, nor to be a national loss should he subsequently fail to develop it.
- In anticipation of his successful development, and national increase definition of his status in respect of citizenship in a White Australia, and of the significance of his territory in Australian international relationships.
Cecil Cook 3/9/27