Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-07-07
Rv w. D. BCYCE.

n YDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES,
y AUSTRALIA.-It takes the
steamer four days to come from
Wellington, New Zealand, to Sydney.
only 1850 miles-and they call it a
ferryl
Australia and New Zealand can
hardly be termed close neighbors.
and they are unlike in many re-
spects, as we shall see. This great
island-contiEent, whose area is larger
than that of the United States. has
many features ell its own. Long
isolated from the rest of the world,
its trees, plants. animals, birds and ma
tive people are Of a bygOne age. Most
interesting OF these are the aboriginals
who for unknown centuries were the only
human beings on the continent, roam
ing in tribes. living by hunting and hsn-
ing. with no cattle or fields and no
houses other than crude huts. When
discovered by the white men. they had
not risen to the use of metals. They are
considered the lowest IN Intelligence Of
AL humans and many scientists believe
them 70 be the most primitive OF the
worlds Inhabitants. Although they are
called blackfellovs, they are more brown
than black, and are unlike the negro in
that their hair is not woolly. their noses
not 80 fat and their lips do not turn
outward.
Only in late years has accurate and
scientific knowledge been obtained con-
corning the life OF these strange people
r~H a. - iii
FATAL CONTACT
WITH WHITES.
It was a sad day for the Australian
blaedellows when they followed the ex-
ample Of the white men and fell into
ways for which aI-wise Nature had new
er fitted them. for it marked the first
process in their gradual extinction as q
race.
They started to initiate the whites with
whom they came in contact by wearing
clothes, which were wholly foreign to
them With the same ease they fell into
the vices OF the white man: and before
long they were victims OF the same old
Ills to which the white is heir to- Rheum-
arism and dread pulmonary diseases, if
they were not wholly new complaints
among these wild children OF the bush.
were greatly aggravated by their contact
with whites and the changed habits to
which that contact gave rise. Even worse
conditions came upon them
Today. the Australian aborigina1s as
race Is dying out; Its epitaph before many
years viii be written.
Since the days when sturdy Britishers
first set their faces toward THIS land
or promise, the blackfellows have found
themselves gradually swept lack By the
insistent demands Of civilization. and
old hostilities and feuds between blacks
and whites show that It was not always
peaceful penetration. There are black
a5originals. however, out on the fringes
o. the great continent, who even today
have not seen a white msn-a good thing.
perhaps for while there are many IN
stances OF the most humane treatment Of
the aboriginal by farmers and ranch
ers and their employees. certain types Of
other whites. getting in among the
blacks, have been a baneful influence in
their lives. From the far out back" or
Wild districts Of Australia. there occa-
sionslly comes the story of a tragedy
IN which black fellow is one Of the
central figures. More often than not.
woman is In the case. A white has
thrust his attentions upon a woman Of
tribe and retaliation has followed.
These tragedies. however, are becoming
fewer, with the establishment Of close res
creations and with government boards
and missions TO watch over and care for
the blacks
That the aLOriginals can be helped by
the proper civilizing influences. if taken
in hand when they are younS, is evident
from the success Of missionary effort.
There IS an authentic story which is al
most incredible when We think that they
have sprung from a race so low in the
~cals Of civilization. Of aboriginal chill