t
412
is a belief that Aborigines should merge with the population , there
is also a strong belief that they should form groups for their own
advancement. This view was also supported by non-Aborigines, though
not with the same strength of response.
The hypothesis that Aborigines would wish to form groups to .
get somewhere was supported.
Statement 16 was one of the few cases where, in response to
Schedule II statements, Aborigines and non-Aborigines had conflicting
L
1
view points. l
Forty-five per cent of Aborigines agreed that it’s better to
get out by yourself and move away from relatives. Thirty-one point
nine per cent disagreed.
The order was reversed in the case of non-Aborigines. Thirty-
eight point one per cent disagreed, compared with 33. S per cent who
agreed.
is supported in the writings
The notion of Aborigines 'moving out*
2
of Gale and Wundersitz, quoted above..
The responses to the two statements on behalf of Aborigines,
are at first sight contradictory: item 16, *It is no good keeping
in with relatives’, in particular seems to contradict the notion
of forming groups. However, the reasoning could be set out as follows.
Aborigines should merge with the population in standard
of living, housing, employment. However this does not
mean that one denies one's Aboriginality. On the
contrary, Aborigines should form groups so that they can
get somewhere. Merging with the population is easier
if those relatives who are always fighting with each other
do not apply pressure to draw one back to a depressed
standard and style of living. Gaining a power base
from which to advance the cause of Aborigines is easier
if one's energies are not dissipated and one's reputation
is not endangered by interaction with relatives who fight
among themselves.
See p. 379 above.
2Sec p. 287 above.