They characteristically conveyed assimilationist themes such as the acquiring of western industrial skills, social values, behaviours and lifestyles. Aboriginal culture was contextualised as exemplary of a primitive stage in the 'history of man', interpreted as 'witchcraft' and occasionally being of mild aesthetic interest to non-Aboriginal readers in terms of exotic art and craft. Aboriginal land issues are not on the news agenda in this period. The relatively sympathetic treatment contained in the considerable coverage of anti-colonial and independence movements in Africa and American Negro civil rights is not transposed on to Aboriginal affairs. The coverage overall indicates an assumed general lack of interest in Aboriginal affairs by the readers of these papers, and very much conveys an impression that although Aboriginal welfare is of some concern, State and church systems of regulation, surveillance and paternal care are firmly in place.
Feature articles are very rate.
By 1965-68 issues such as equal pay for Aboriginal pastoral workers and equality of services for Aboriginal people are appearing at least once a week. Stories begin to treat issues of racial equality and report Aboriginal concerns to maintain their culture and identity. Generally, non-Aboriginal people continue to be quoted as authoritative sources. Integration' themes begin to supersede the formal assimilationist perspective. Feature articles are still very rare.