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PERTH, THURSD AY, JULY 24, 1947.
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SEVENTY-FOURTH YEAR.
Cabinet Ministers Attend Opening of Native Mission Archbishop Appeals for Federal State Aid "Magnificent Enterprise" in Interests of Dispossessed Race On Sunday last, His Grace the Archbishop laid the foundation stone of a Convent at St. Francis Xavier's Native Mission, Wandering. The Convent will be occupied by the Sisters of St. John of God in September, when they will care for a small number of native infants while dormitories and class -rooms are being built. Present with the Archbishop at the ceremony were the Minister for Native Affairs (Mr. R. McDonald), the Minister for Railways and Transport (Mr. Seward), Mrs. Cardell-Oliver (Honorary Minister), the Chairman of the Wandering Road` Board (Mr. H. S. Gilbertson), and the Superior of the Mission (Father Leo Hornung, P.S.M.). The walls of the Convent are partially constructed, and when the building is finished it will be the third completed unit in a comprehensive building plan for the institution. It is being built from materials produced on the property, the walls being of granite from the Mission's own quarry. In all future building also, the Community will avoid the use of materials which are difficult to obtain. The additional buildings will comprise girls' dormitory and school block, church, community centre (which \yin include a recreation hall and cinema, general store, bank and post office). boys' dormitory and school block, monastery, men's dining room, and kitchen block. The buildings will be laid out in a. semi -circle facing a circular drive. The plan, which includes a reservoir and specially laid -out catchment area, was designed by Miss Marie Jackson. The members of the Community have built six miles of road to the Mission and have erected ten mile, of telephone line from the main road.
nually
expends
approximately
£70,000 to administer its Department and care for a native popukation nearing 25,000. Obviously little can be done with such I be a small appropriation. lieve that the Commonwealth
Government has a very definite financial obligation to this State of Western Australia for this work. Even though the State may administer the Department His Grace made an eloquent plea for the half-castes at Wanderdealing with natives, the Coming on Sunday. monwealth should provide generous subsidies, particularly in viding public utilities, such as standard, they will be taught do view of its own policy with re- roads, telephone lines, etc., which mestic science and assist the Sisgard to the native populations of are ,in fact, improvements to ters in the laundry, dairy, orchard, poultry, pickling, preservthe Islands, such as New Guinea. Crown properties. A RACE BETWEEN. ing, etc., all of which industries FEDERAL AND STATE REThe problem of the half-caste are to be established for the dual SPONSIBILITY. here in Western Australia is impurpose of training the girls and I was delighted to learn that the Goveinment had appointed mediate and pressing, since this providing necessary income. has -fifth the State almost one of Mr. F. E. Bateman to conduct VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE. population. the survey of the various Insti- Australian native The boys, under the care of tutions and Missions serving the Whilst isthe birthrate of our own the Priests and Brothers, will be people dangerously low, the simlarly I was more native population. educated, but, if any -rate of is birth half-castes very than delighted to learn that, in thing, to a higher academic stanmaking this announcement, the high. Since 1901 they have treb- (lard the past it has their numbers. Their lot i s been apparentin that Minister for Native Affairs, Mr. led half-caste a sorry one. They themselves McDonald, stated that his Govgirls have been educated to a ernment considered that the fin- do not wish to be classed as higher standard than the boys ancial obligation for the welfare blacks, and, on the other hand, with unsatisfactory results. Hay of aborigines and those of abo- they are debarred from the so- ing reached a suitable age, the With no boys will assist and study all riginal blood should be shared by ciety of white men. the Commonwealth and State social status they are, generally types of farming and stock raisidle dwel- ing, speaking, and dissolute Governments. In a leader dealquarrying, timber milling, ing with the announcement, the lers on the outskirts of country blacksmithing, metal working, in the the towns South of State. "West Australian" pointed out etc , each boy following his own that no effort had ever been ENVIRONMENT AND SPIRIT- particular bent. Having cornARCHBISHOP'S ADDRESS. made comparable to the complex UALITY, pleted their training, we hope and controversial problem that We are told that the half- that many of the boys and girls The laying of this foundation of confronts us. They inferred that castes inherit the vices both will marry and take their place stone and the dedication of this efforts by past Governments races. I do not believe this for in the white community as use Convent to the glory of God in have been inadequate. This, 1 one moment. If the half-castes ful citizens. On the other hand, honour of St. Jerome Aemilian, is am sorry to say, is lamentably have displayed vicious instincts, should they wish to remain at. another step along the road of true. Here at Wandering we then I believe we should blame the Mission, they will be welestablishing St. Francis Xavier's have already spent a very con- their environment and not their come, and suitable dwellings will Native Mission, which we comsiderable amount for plant, parentage. Human nature is be provided, always assuming menced late in 1944. Although buildings, stock and the acquisi- the same, and overcrowded un- that the industries being estabbarely two and a half years tion of adjoining farm lands. In- hygienic bush dwellings unpro- lished can absorb their labours. have elapsed, and although these cluded in this sum is an amount ductive idle hours, and scant I am wholeheartedly opposed to are most difficult times to underexceeding £2,000 for the con- charity will result in the growth their support from charity, which take such a project, yet much struction of roads, bridges and of vice, if the subjects be White only has a degrading effect has been accomplished. Roads, culverts traversing Crown lands. or black. Almighty God has They must be trained to earn bridges and a culvert have been We have received generous dona- endowed half-castes with souls their own livelihoods, and the built, and the Mission centre tions from the general public and made to His own image and like- facilities to do so must be availbrought within 80 miles of Perth. princely subsidies from the Pon- ness, and they are no whit less able. A temporary Monastery, which tifical Mission Aid Societies. But entitled to save their souls under will ultimately be used as a hosSELF-GOVERNMENT. we have not received any finan reasonable conditions than their pital, has been erected, as also Nor will their leisure be nevial aid from either Govern- white brothers. have a substantial machinery This they will glected. Besides the usual ovals, ments, or from the Lotteries more easily (lo if they are train- etc., for healthy open-air sport, shed and other buildings, mostly Commission, apparently set up to ed to gainful employment and a combined play house and picof a temporary nature. Already relieve consolidated revenue of elevated to the dignity of full ture theatre is planned, as also the Mission has acquired considerable plant, which will gredtly His Grace Blessing the Convent just claims for social welfare. white citizenship. Here we are is a general store, bank and post ' It is true that the State Govern- endeavouring to make a practical office. facilitate future progress. We I look forward with con ment retired a mortgage on an and positive contribution to this fidence to the day when the half must congratulate the Superior Here abandoned farm which now complex problem. and those who assisted him, on black and the half-caste. castes have their own football PRACTICAL BLUE-PRINT. the marked progress that has at Wandering, our problem is forms a part of the Native Reand cricket teams, and when the Infants from birth will be ad- shop assistants, bank clerks, and been made. As you know, this primarily that of the half-caste. serve; but this is Crown land, building is intended to be a resi- It must be realised that this is a and we are merely the occupiers mitted to the foundling section all responsible positions at the and cared for by the Sisters of Mission are ,occupied by halfdence for the Nuns of St. John of separate problem. Inevitably the as trustees for the natives. MATERIAL NEEDS. St. John of God. A kindergar- castes. God, who will conduct the Found. half-caste will be absorbed into For too long 1 wish, however, to record our ten will be established for their ling Home, Orphanage, Hospital the white race HUMAN RIGHTS. and School. They will be in they have been the helpless, ne- appreciation of the action of the training until they reach school If we recognise that circumBoys and girls will con- stances make it necessary for the residence by the end of this year, glected hangers-on of white com- former Premier of W.A., Mr. age. and a small number of infants munities. It is sad, but it is true, Wise, who agreed, on behalf of tinue their schooling under the half-castes to be educated up to will be cared for by the Sisters that no real effort has ever been his Government, to grant to the care of the Sisters until they the white standard, it must be in the Convent building until the made to ameliorate their un- Church, in fee simple, an area of reach their ninth or tenth year. remembered that the bringing to happy lot. It is my considered 500 acres on which this Mission Then the boys will be transfer- them of the advantages of Chris Orphanages are erected. opinion that much of the past centre is being erected But, if red to the care of the priests and tian civilisation is a human right, OBLIGATIONS TO HALFneglect is due to the small it is the Church's responsibility Brothers of the Pious Society of not just a convenient way out of CASTES. amount of money that the State (and it is), to do everything Missions, and the girls to a jun- a difficulty. Let us not view Of all the social questions on Government has at its disnosal within its power to provide spir- for section in the Nuns' Orphanit as an attempt to mitigate a which our attention is focussed for native welfare. The officers itual solace for the confused and age. will continue nuisance. If the responsibility to -day, none is entitled to great- of the Native Affairs Depart- frustrated half-daste, it is surely their Both sexes schooling, but in each case can be accepted as a duty and er consideration than that of car. ment are efficient and well train- the responsibility of the Govern- the Institutions will be divided ti" work of education commencing for the descendants of the ed and keenly interested in their ment to aid us financially in car- into junior and senior sections, in ed, it must also be Australian aboriginal, whose work. But they have not at ing for their material needs, order that each group may have that the training mustrecognised be slow, country we alienated a little their disposal sufficient funds to since both go hand in hand. Par- the training and attention most patient, constant and continumore than a century ago. And make any real approach to the ticularly is it the responsibility suited to their ages. When the ous, and then, under God's guidthis social question falls under problem. Here in Western Aus- of the Government to subsidise girls have completed their edu- ance, we shall succeed. two headings: the full-blooded tralia, the State Government an - us when we are engaged in pro- cation up to about sub-junior (Continued on Page 2.) -