PLEA FOR BLACK

THE SUN, 11 September, 1936.

I am writing in appreciation of The Sun’s leading article. Blackfellow’s Role. The aboriginal population of Australia, taken as a whole, is increasing, and will continue to increase, but the fact that some tribes are dying out, and that some are quite extinct, from remediable causes is a reproach to Australia and quite unnecessary. The increase in the aboriginal population would be relatively greater but for the high mortality rate, brought about from diseases as tuberculosis, induced by under-nourishment and insanitary housing conditions which the poverty of my people cannot improve. Every voice raised in protest helps our cause.

- W. Cooper (honorary secretary. Australian Aborigines’ League, Footscray).