Old Days

Recruiting in the Good Old Days

IN an inquiry held by a Royal Com mission in 1885, into the circum stances under which recruiting was conducted among the natives of New Guinea and other islands of the Western Pacific, it was found that nearly all the natives were seduced on board ships by false pretences. The nature of their en gagements was never fully explained to them, and they had little or no idea of what kind of work they had to perform.

The vessels implicated in this inquiry were the “Ceara”, “Lizzie”, “Hopeful”, “Forest King”. "Heath”, and “Sybil”.

It was revealed that early in 1884, when the “Hopeful” anchored off Fergusson Island (Eastern Papua) the recruiting agent chased several canoes contain ing natives who attempted to escape from the boats which had been lowered to secure them. As he was unable to overtake them, the natives were fired at.

One native who was steering was struck on the back of the neck; the bullet, coming out at his throat, struck another native, who fell overboard and sank.

Thereupon, all the occupants of the canoe leaped into the water, and the canoe was overtaken and smashed. The natives were picked up, and stowed be neath the thwarts of the boat, and taken to the vessel.

Another canoe was caught and smashed; and, as the natives swam for the shore, they were shot at. One was killed but five and a small boy were picked up.

One of the rescued “jumped overboard, whereupon he was followed and the poor wretch’s throat was cut”.

The little boy, being of no use as a recruit, was cast adrift on two coconuts, which were tied together and placed under his arms. He was seen to slip from the coconuts and was drowned in the surf.

Mr. Harold Gatty, who is well known in the Central Pacific as New Zealand representative of Pan American Airways, now holds an important US military post in Australia. He is Director of Air Transport for the United States Army Air Corps and has the honorary rank of Group Captain in the RAAF.