[Editorial, Dampier Despatch (Broome, WA), Saturday 16 September 1905, Issue No. 228, page 338]
...
A rumour has reached us that an opinion has got abroad to the effect that we are not in accord with the Commissioner of Police and the Pearlers’ Association in their efforts to do justice to the black north and the pearlers in the matter of the accusations brought against them by Dr Roth and his fanatical followers.
To emphatically deny this rumour to our Broome readers is hardly necessary as our views and position in the matter are well known locally. But, for the benefit of outsiders, we might explain that the primary object of the “Dampier Despatch” being to publish, in Broome, telegraphic news of the outside world, to discuss at length such subjects as Pearlers and Aborigines (who are always with us) would be like carrying coals to Newcastle.
To put our opinion shortly:—
Roth’s report as regards the Broome district and Pearlers is inaccurate and exaggerated, and liable as a whole to give a very wrong and unjust impression to any readers unaquainted with the facts.
From his conduct here in refusing to hear the evidence of men with accurate information and long experience, we are driven to the conclusion that he came biassed, and with his mind already made up, and only looked for evidence that would fit in with his preconceived theories and plans. Now we are pleased to see, as evidenced by the publication of Captain Hare’s report, the Government now show a willingnesss to hear the other side of the question. The former treatment of Captain Hare and others gave one the impression that officials were not to be allowed to criticise the sacred words or actions of their little tin god, (doctor and scientific photographer) Roth.
AB notes:
This piece shows the extent of anti-Roth sentiment, and the extraordinary pressure placed upon the editor to adopt the view prevalent in the Broome community.
The writer is almost certainly the editor, John B. Hughes.
