NATIVES CRUELLY BEATEN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3410, 29 December 1911, Page 7

NATIVES CRUELLY BEATEN.

WHILE SUFFERINC HUNCER PANCS.

RESULT OF PAPUAN EXPEDITION.

[united press association—copyright] SYDNEY, Dec 28.

Remarkable .statements -have , .been gublished . concerning Mr Stamforth mith’s expedition in search of coal fields in Papua. Papuan officials and the Department are greatly concerned at the result of the expedition, particularly over ! the treatment of native carriers. After reading Mr Smith’s reports and the evidence at the inquest on the dead carriers, the Acting-Minister administered a severe rebuke to Mr Smith. He expressed surprise' that they did not proceed to the locality reported to contain coal fields. The fact that only a small quantity of rice was taken for the natives for food was a mistake. Had a good supply been taken they would have been in better physical condition to withstand the hardships. Another serious matter was that of beating carriers for stealing when the pangs of hunger were strong upon them. It came as a shock to learn that they had been treated in such a manner. The evidence of a native policeman states that owing to inability to find sago the carriers became thin and weak and unfit for work. When the raft capsized, they were drowned because they were too weak to swim. Mr Smith stated that the only beating given... was for stealing from natives gardens, which rendered the party liable to a hostile outbreak. , •i : £