Aborigines of Van Diemen's Land, 1830-1840 - Page 248
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[Page 248]
totally at a loss to comprehend the utility of the office, but I see much mischief in it. What are the protectors to do - what good can they effect? They are something like go-betweens, without exercising any control over the Aborigines, who will dislike anything of a master, and in cases of aggressions on the whites will resort to their former practices of retaliations.
With reference to the different Colonial governments the Protector cannot, and ought not, to be at liberty to interfere as the governments possess the necessary power by virtue of the commissions granted to British governors, so they are to all intents and purposes the natural protectors of the Aborigines. In cases of atrocious murders on the Whites by the Blacks are the Protectors to stand up and screen them from the consequences? Or, if brought to trial in a Court of Justice are they to stand forth the legal advocates