USC21_0009

3.

death (an old woman who died of old age ). When that place was
broken up, the majority of the blacks were taken to Yarrabah,
in the North at which place tbere have been very few deaths .
About sixty were left behind, and became scattered about. Of this
sixty fully twenty have died within three years. This shows dis-
tinctly that under humane white supervision this fast dying
race have a better chance of surviving .

"The figures quoted above are approximate. In any case these
blacks, if employed, would have been under the supervision of
Mr Howard, the Chief Protector of Aborigines Protector, who is a thoroughly humane man,
and probably the best friend the Queensland blacks have ever
had. He has reported favourably of the scheme.
" Who can deny the right of the Fraser Is. blacks to earn their
own living on their own island?
''Great Sandy Is. has been lying idle since it was created,
excepting one company ( Wilson Hart & Co.), who have invested
enormous sums to work a portion of it for timber, and now, when
an offer is made to develop it, all kinds of stumbling blocks
are put in the way. Will the Government sink £50,000 or £100, 000
in developing it?
"Recognising the fact that this question cannot be settled
"off hand" by the Government, the company (in process of form-
ation) have dropped the aboriginal matter until it can be thor-
oughly inquired into and will employ white men entirely (local
married men for preference) at the highest rates of pay ruling
in Federated Australia for such work , and abide by all union
rules and regulations. It has never been their intention to cut
rates or wages, or to enslave or oppress any human being.
" While Capt. Kent was in Maryborough last month, numerous
deputations of natives, many coming from the Far North, waited
on him and begged him to use his influence with the Government
to have them returned under him (Capt. Kent) to Fraser Is.
"Finally, Capt. and Mrs Kent are well known as having be-
friended these people, and they were more successful in their