42a[“A Page from the Past of the Wild North-West”, The Sunday Times (Perth, WA), Sunday 14 January 1923, page 1]

A PAGE FROM THE PAST OF THE WILD NORTH-WEST -

HOW NATIVES WERE TREATED AND MONETIZED -

No. 1.

By John F. Brodie

After many requests and refusals, at many times, I have now decided to bring before the public a little ancient history, which has never previously seen the light of day—well, not in its pristine nakedness. It will no doubt be interesting and illuminative.

It will be remembered that about the time of the Daglish Ministry, a Dr. Roth, of Queensland, was commissioned to inquire into certain serious allegations concerning the treatment of the natives in the Kimberleys, but prior to this a Reverend Mr. Gribble had made some startling disclosures on the subject which were absolutely discredited and resulted in Mr. Gribble having to leave the country. Dr. Roth’s report supported much of what Mr. Gribble had stated, and consequently met with a somewhat similar fate.

It will also be remembered that the then Commissioner of Police was suspended in connection with Dr. Roth’s report. What I purpose to show now is that where Mr. Gribble and Dr. Roth failed I in some measure succeeded, in the face of what appeared to be overwhelming odds. In 1908 I was transferred to charge of the Derby Police Station at my own request. In those days Derby was the police headquarters for the North-West, which is now at Broome. It will be seen that my action had something to do with the change.

Several police expressed a desire to come with me, as they had heard money was to be made up there. One especially—Constable F.—who had then been transferred from Derby for health reasons, actually did come with me. Constable F. explained in detail to me a scheme for making money out of catching natives, and how I could make as much as £5 per day myself. His method was to catch as many natives as he could—whether they killed cattle or not did not matter—and hold them as long as possible, perhaps a month or longer, before handing them over to me at Derby.

In those days boats did not call at Derby very often, so Constable F. said he would contrive to just miss a boat so that I might have the natives, perhaps as many as 100 at time, till the next boat to enable me to get my “cut.” I found that it was possible to make 1s. per day per head out of the natives from the amount allowed for rationing them, which of course meant practically starving the natives. The whole system was explained to me, and I was supposed not to be fool enough to reject it.

Constable F. reckoned that to him the whole of the ration allowance was profit, as it cost him nothing to feed the natives in the bush, and very often he did not have them so long in custody as the ration account showed. It was a lovely, scheme, and a real gold mine; but it meant exploiting the natives and robbing the country of thousands of pounds. That, of course, was up-to-date loyalty and patriotism. The practice seemed to be generally known and recognised and winked at then, if it was not actually encouraged.

On my arrival at Derby I was well received by Inspector M. who seemed glad to have got rid of my predecessor, but disappointed to have Constable F. back again, both of whom he called scoundrels, and had reported for various offences, but without result, owing (as he said) to the combination against him. He told me all I already knew, which showed that he was fully cognizant of what was going on. I found that he was absolutely ignored, he had no authority, and every man was his own inspector.

After listening to his grievances and failures to put down abuses, I suggested that he try again, and I would help him. He said it was quite useless; be had done his best, and only got rapped over the knuckles. I saw he suspected my motive. However, I determined to tackle the problem myself, thinking perhaps he might support me.

In due course Constable F. came in with a batch of prisoners. I decided upon a line of action which was to make no distinction between native and white prisoners, and proceed according to the law of evidence. These natives were to be brought before the R.M. next morning. I would conduct the prosecution. I therefore demanded from Constable F. a statement of the evidence that his witnesses could give. He was astounded, and said that that was never done before; I need not go near the court at all. He would put them through himself.

I insisted, so F. and his tracker interviewed his four gin witnesses, and told them what they had to say, “true fellow,” using threats when necessary. When the gins understood, he gave me the statement, which I had no intention of using, but examined them on questions which had not been rehearsed. These witnesses were wives of the prisoners, and they and the prisoners were only too willing to say what they knew they were wanted to say. The interpreter was usually the black tracker, who arrested and collected the prisoners, and usually an expert at giving the right evidence. I got an independent interpreter, or check interpreter, which sometimes created an awkward situation. After the case Constable F. complained about my attitude, and said I would spoil the whole game.

The next batch was from Isdell Station, 210 miles from Derby. I followed similar tactics, but in this instance the Isdell police reported me for defending instead of prosecuting the natives. In reply to this I said, inter alia, that I was proud of the charge, and asked to be appointed defender and someone else prosecutor. I pointed out that the natives were simple children of the bush, at the mercy of the white man, and did not know right from wrong, and were incapable of and never attempted to defend themselves against false charges. In all cases they simply pleaded guilty, and did not seem to care whether they were hung or shot; it made no difference to them.

It sometimes happened that natives were no sooner back in their country after serving three years than they were again captured In the mob. They would say, “Me Killum Bulliman all right” and that was sufficient to get them another stretch. It mattered not whether it referred to the present charge of the previous one; it was the same thing to them. No jury was ever known to acquit natives charged wth killing cattle. Evidence of no evidence, they convicted from force of habit and on general principles.

I will give one instance where there was absolutely no evidence, and the natives were entirely innocent, despite the fact that this was the only time white evidence was produced. Constable F. and another brought in about 30 natives captured only a few miles from Derby, where they were enjoying “pinkeye” (holiday), but said to have been arrested much further away, in order to account for the alleged time they were held by the police and to make the ration account in order. Constable F. described these natives as complete outlaws, the worst he had ever captured, and said they would escape if they got half a chance. These natives were station natives, half civilised, and consequently could give the show away if they came into court. Constable F. locked them up himself at dusk, and warned me that they would escape, but I did not know that he had already arranged for that—because he dare not bring them to court. About midnight all but five escaped. They were given keys and told to clear out during the night. The five that remained, who were the least intelligent, got three years, but were subsequently released after serving about a month in Roebourne gaol. This is a long and extraordinary story: nothing to beat it in the movies or in fiction.

Constable F. was suspended and while under suspension took a pleasure trip to Perth. He was liable to three years’ imprisonment on the charge. He demanded a board to try his case, which was duly appointed, but several months elapsed before finality was reached. It was necessary to collect the escaped prisoners as witnesses before the case could proceed. This was done by Constable M., who is still in the force, but who was not in any way implicated in the native traffic.

But prior to this Constable F., who was not taking any chances, had gone out into the bush to interview these natives, who had already made damaging statements against him. He told me that he had seen them all and that they would now deny everything they had previously sworn on oath before the R.M. In fact, he had “intimidated” some so effectually that they were never seen again. His own words were that he had destroyed the evidence, and now Inspector M. could do his worst. Those natives who were produced did deny everything. They knew what to expect if they didn’t.

When Constable M. returned with as many natives as he could find I tried to get out of him what had happened to them and the others who were missing. He said what he knew was too horrible to mention, and that he was going to get right out ot the Nor’-West, which he did; and he kept his secret. When the case was ready to proceed I asked Inspector M. who constituted the board that was to try F. He said the R.M., Mr. F. and himself. I was astounded at the idea of him being both judge and accuser.

I asked him if the commission knew the real position. He said he did, and he was going to carry out the commission’s orders. I said, “In that case Constable F. is going to get off altogether, and, further, you will not sit as a member of the board if I can help it.” I may say that I could have been a material witness against F., but I knew that he was not getting a fair deal—not that he deserved it—so I did not come forward. I asked F. if he knew who constituted the board. He did not, but when I told him and said he was practically already convicted he took a serious view of the matter for the first time. I said “I know you are guilty and a disgrace to the force, but if you take my advice you are all right. You must now get a solicitor and object to the constitution of the board.” He demurred at the cost, but realising that his liberty was at stake he wired to Broome and got Frank Martin, who denounced the constitution of the board and finally upset it. Inspector Sellinger, of Perth, took the place of Inspector M., and F. was finally exonerated, mainly owing to the action of Inspector M. This is a brief account of that most extraordinary and amazing case.

AB notes:

An interesting reflection upon what Brodie calls “the nigger catching industry”

But take care; some of Brodie’s claims do not check out.

On the willingness of some accused cattle thieves to plead guilty:

“Me Killum Bulliman all right”

42b[“A Page from the Past”, The Sunday Times (Perth, WA), Sunday 21 January 1923, page 1]

A PAGE FROM THE PAST

Niggers in the Nor’-West—Exploited Like Possums—No. II

By John T. Brodie

I sent report upon report to the Commissioner and made general charges against all hands, including the jury, in connection with what I called the ”Nigger Catching Industry.” For a long time Inspector M. sat on a rail till it appeared that I must be overwhelmed by force of numbers, and deciding that discretion was the better part of valor, he joined forces with his old enemies and became their leader. I then stood alone, to carry on what appeared to be a very uneven and hopeless contest which involved my position and reputation.

The Commissioner demanded that I make specific charges. At first I declined, pointing out that the practice had been going on for so long I wanted the whole system altered, and made suggestions. The Commissioner insisted, or I would be charged myself. It was thought that I had made statements which I could not substantiate, and that my days were numbered. Finally I made specific charges of a very serious nature; I also charged Inspector M. with incompetency.

The contest now became hot and savage—I was outlawed. I had to send my reports through the Inspector and did not see his remarks till the file came back from Perth and not always then. They were mostly an attack upon me and a denial of my statements and praise for all those he had previously condemned. I discovered that extracts and copies of my report to the Commissioner were being sent out to all police in the bush. Also, a well-known pastoralist, now a resident of Perth, said to me in Derby on his return from Perth, that he had seen the Commissioner about me, and that the Commissioner had said if he had any more reports from me I would be dismissed from the force.

This did not deter me; but in view of this and the leakage from the district office I changed by[sic] tactics. Neither the Commissioner nor the Inspector saw any more of my reports, but prominent people in Perth did. There was a C. of E. and Presbyterian minister in Broome who used to visit Derby. I insisted their services. I told them everything and showed them proof. I told them how old and infirm and decrepit natives were dragged in from the bush in chains and charged with cattle-killing when they could not kill a cat. How some had actually crawled into the lockup on their hands and knees and died in a few days after being committed for trial or sentenced. I showed injuries that were inflicted on the natives to make them tell “true fellow.” I let them interview the natives themselves.

These gentlemen were so horrified that they both determined to bring the matter before their respective Synods, which they did, I believe, in Bunbury and N.S.W. This and my reports to outsiders brought such pressure to bear that a Royal Commission was appointed to inquire into the whole matter. Inspector Sellenger was the Commissioner. He conducted the inquiry very fairly and ably. I was seven days before the Commission in connection with the charges I had made.

I will give a brief account of one of the many charges, which was considered utterly impossible to substantiate. A small batch of prisoners came in from Isdell, 210 miles from Derby, some months previously. The escorting constable brought his daily occurrences with him. These showed he left Isdell with 13 prisoners, but he arrived in Derby with only 12, for which he got a “please explain,” which he took back to his station. In due course an explanation came to hand from the Isdell police to the effect that one of the prisoners took seriously ill a few miles out from Isdell and could not travel; he was taken back to Isdell, nursed back to health, and let go.

Neither I nor Inspector M. believed that story, but as far as the Inspector was concerned, he let it go at that, though I was determined to get to the bottom of it in my own way. A few miles from Derby there was a camping place. I found the escort had spent the last night there before reaching Derby, in company with Constable F. and a station manager Mr. E., who were going in the opposite direction to the escort. Constable F. always carried a camera, and delighted in showing snapshots, some of which were very indecent.

On looking over his snapshots one day, I found one taken at the camping place above mentioned, showing 13 natives, the constable and Mr. E. The photo was small and indistinct, but I managed to get hold of the negative. I then got out of him what happened at the camp. One of the natives had been badly knocked about. F. said one arm had been burned and was bandaged. He was in such a bad way that F. advised that he be turned adrift and not taken to Derby where Brodie was. The advice was acted upon. F. begged of me not to put him away or his life would be in danger. I later saw Mr. E., who confirmed F.’s statement. I knew mere statements were not much good—they could be denied—so I sent the negative to Webb and Webb in Perth, to be made as large and distinct as possible. They made a good job of it. I told Inspector Sellenger that this particular case would be proved to the hilt. I said I depended mainly on Mr. E., who was a reliable man. Mr. E. was subpoenaed as a witness, but I was informed by F. that he would be no use as he had been fixed up. F. was not to be called.

At the trial the accused stuck to their original statement. Mr. E. proved a very unsatisfactory witness; he could not remember. At the conclusion Inspector S. informed me that he would have to dismiss the charge for lack of proof; in fact, it was, he said, proved to be a false statement by me. I had purposely kept back the photo, but the time had come to play the “Joker,” so I said to Inspector S., “If you saw with your own eyes what I say happened in the camp, would you believe it then?” He said he would. I then produced the photo. That settled it; the accused gave in and begged for mercy. I have not seen that photo since, but would like to have it as a souvenir.

From Derby Inspector S. went through East Kimberley when he returned from Derby to Wyndham. He told me I had done splendid work. He said “The Sunday Times” would give £500 for the evidence he had collected, but they would never see it. He said it meant a big thing for him. He expected to be made Commissioner for the North-West, with H.Q. at Broome. As for Inspector M., he would lose his commission and be shifted to Perth. I asked, in view of what happened, to be transferred out of the Nor’-West. He said I could have any station I like to apply for. In view of that I applied for, I think, Katanning. The Commissioner replied, saying I would not be transferred from Derby unless recommended by Inspector Sellenger. It struck me that the Commissioner was disappointed over my success, and that Inspector Sellenger was not able to keep his promise to me. However, much to my disgust, I was transferred to Port Hedland, and finally resigned.

The upshot of the whole thing was an entirely new system of dealing with the natives. The establishment of a Government cattle run in East Kimberley, where the natives are collected and cared for, and evidently made self-supporting, and no doubt the saving of thousands to the country. For this Inspector Sellenger and the then Colonial Secretary (Hon. J. D. Connolly) took all the credit both in the Press and Parliament. They made the most of it in their own interest, while I, who bore the brunt of it all, over a period of 12 months, got nothing. Without my action in the first place, which forced the inquiry, they could have done nothing and would have done nothing. I did make an attempt to have all the papers and evidence laid on the table of the House, but the member whom I approached did not think it worth while.

I now wish to make the matter public through the Press as some little satisfaction to myself and my friends. I have written this entirely from memory. I forget most things, but I will never forget this experience. When I heard Sir J. D. Connolly addressing the troops on Salisbury Plain, this was in my mind then. My action disclosed many things, especially the treatment of the natives in the past, which I claim to have improved. Who knows but the memory of such treatment may have had something to do with the recent murders in the north? It certainly would have a tendency that way. Who knows but that these poor despised natives may find greater favor in Goe s sight in the end than many of his white-skinned brothers however high and mighty they may be in this world. I believe it is God’s plan and purpose that the lowly, humble and meek, and the despised and rejected of men will inherit the earth and be the exalted ones in the world to come. It also shows up the depravity of human nature under certain conditions, and the peculiar selfishness and hypocrisy of officialdom, politicians, and mankind in general.